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Book, KA- xJU 



THE LIFE OF 

Statesman, Educator, 
Preacher 

And for Twenty-Five Years 
Bishop of the Church of the 
United Brethren in Christ 

By 

LEWIS FRANKLIN JOHN, D.D. 

With an Introduction by 
BISHOP N. CASTLE, D.D. 




Nineteen Hundred and Seven 
Press of United Brethren Publishing House 
Dayton, Ohio 



1 LIBRARY of COfcaRESH 
n i 
I Two Copies Recesw^ • 

I JAN 30 i m 

Ooyvngih. awry 

CLASS XXc= ftu. 

GO FY B. " 



COPYRIGHT, 19«7 
W. R. FUNK, DAYTON, OHIO 



Received from 
Copyright Office. 

21? m 



DEDICATION 



To those he helped to better thinking, 
higher aspirations, and purer 
living, this book is 
respectfully dedicated. 



PREFACE 



To preserve for earth the blessedness of the life gone 
from us is the purpose of this book. Its preparation has 
been a labor of love and a means of grace to the biographer. 
Many facts, previously unknown to him, notwithstanding 
the intimate relationship of a son in his household more 
than sixteen years, have been discovered. 

Obligation is here acknowledged for valuable aid received 
from many sources. Special mention must be made of the 
help secured from the Bishop's brother, Rev. I. L. Kephart, 
D.D., editor of the Religious Telescope, who kindly per- 
mitted the liberal use of his articles on "Pioneer Life in the 
Alleghenies," beside which he furnished many facts known 
only to him, and also read the manuscript. In this way it 
is hoped the highest possible accuracy has been secured. 
Also to the distinguished kindness of Mr. John D. Gill, of 
Philipsburg, Pa., who guided the author to scenes con- 
nected with the childhood of our subject, and gave free ac- 
cess to old account-books, etc., in his possession. A diary 
kept during the Bishop's three journeys to foreign lands, 
and letters written home, and for the Church papers, fur- 
nish much more material that could be included. The Min- 
utes of the General Conferences and other Church docu- 
ments have been searched. The records of the Iowa Senate 
preserve his work in connection with that honorable body. 
Liberal use has been made of statements of appreciation 
given by general Church officers, and by the many kind 
friends whose words of sympathy were sent to the one most 
sorely bereft in the hour of deepest gloom. 

The portrait of the Christian manhood and character 
herein presented is thus a mosaic. The aim has been, as 
far as possible, to let him be the interpreter of his own 
life. The book is sent forth with the fervent prayer that 
it may promote the Church of his choice, and the kingdom 
of God on earth, to which he gave his life. 



5 



Preface 

The following is from the Lebanon Valley College Forum 
of October, 1891: 

"On Monday afternoon, October 5, the Bishop (Kephart) 
paid the college a visit. He was brought to town in a pri- 
vate conveyance from Lebanon, and as soon as his arrival 
became known among the students, an impromptu recep- 
tion was arranged for. Under the escort of President Bier- 
man, Presiding Elder Mumma, and others, he was taken 
through the buildings and over the campus to witness the 
numerous improvements made during the past vacation. 
At half past three o'clock he met, by invitation, the students 
and many friends of the college in the chapel, and after a 
pleasant introduction by the president, delivered a highly 
appropriate and instructive address of about thirty min- 
utes. The gist of the address was how the student should 
employ and improve his time while at college: 'To think as 
well as to read; to acquaint yourself with the history of 
the past, especially with the history of the Jews. By pur- 
suing the right course you can make college life the pleas- 
antest part of your whole history. Look on the bright 
side; avoid the cane, the key, and the pony; be independent 
and think for yourself, and you will grow and become 
manly, womanly.' He expressed himself highly gratified 
with the evidences of prosperity in and about the college, 
and won the favor of all present. After the close of this in- 
teresting address he stepped forward to meet personally, 
and shake hands with each of the students present. 

"In some respects it was a red-letter day to us. Many of 
the students had never heard the Bishop speak, others had 
never seen a bishop, and others again, indeed, the majority, 
were delighted to hear him once more, to enjoy the advan- 
tage of his wise counsel, and to be impelled to go forward 
by his earnest words of encouragement." 

DEGREES. 

Degrees were conferred on Bishop Kephart as follows: 
By Otterbein University: A.B., in 1870; A.M., in 1873, and 
D.D. in 1881. 

By Lebanon Valley College: D.D., in 1881, and LL.D., in 

1888. 



6 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I. 
ANCESTRY. 

Ancestry — Environment — Marriage of Parents — Thirteen Chil- 
dren — Their Industry and Economy — Their Schooling 23 



CHAPTER II. 

Childhood and Youth. 

Birth and Blood Will Tell — Pioneer Life — Linsey-woolsey — 
Scutching Flax and Weaving — Kicking Matches — Clearing 



— Crops — Threshing — Hominy — Fire-place — Tools — Money 
— Philipsburg 30 

CHAPTER III. 

Moral and Spiritual Environment. 

Conception of Right — Fights — Arbitration — Settlement of Dis- 
putes — Preaching — The "Pilgrim" — Whisky — Barn Raising. 49 



CHAPTER IY. 

Early Education. 

Pioneer Schoolhouses and Schools — Methods of Teaching — 
"Barring Out the Master" — Inefficiency of Teachers — Re- 



senting Insult 61 

CHAPTER V. 

Logging and Rafting. 

Making of a Man — Life in a Logging Camp — Rafting — Saddle- 
bagged Raft — Clearing the Channel 78 

CHAPTER VI. 

Spiritual and Intellectual Awaking. 

Camp-meetings — Public Profession — Conversion — Baptism — 
Pioneer Library — Back in School — Exhibition — Mr. Shaw's 
Advice — Dickinson Seminary — Teaching and Rafting 97 

CHAPTER VII. 
May, 1857 — January, 1860. 



Mt. Pleasant College — Otterbein — First Sermon — First Funeral 
Sermon — Fugitive Slave — Aunty Eve — Funds Exhausted — 
In Missouri — On a Mission Circuit — Letter to "Abe" 107 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Johnstown, Marriage, and Mission. 

Pastor at Johnstown — Marriage — Wife's Lineage — Appointed 
Missionary — Visit To Relatives — Appointment Recalled 118 

CHAPTER IX. 

January, 1861 — June, 1865. 

Altoona Pastorate — Faith — Reminiscences — Greensburg and 
Mt. Pleasant — The Slavery Question — Persistency — College 
Again and Graduation — Educational Work — Pastor Again — 
Mt. Pleasant Circuit 124 

CHAPTER X. 

The Statesman. 

State Senator — Chairman of Committee on Temperance — 
Memorials — Senatorial Relaxation — Influence on School 
Laws of Iowa — Investigating Agricultural College — Results 
— Senatorial Trick — Election of Hon. W. B. Allison to the 
United States Senate — Offered Nomination for Governor — 
President of Board of Trustees for Institution of the Blind 
—Other Calls , 129 



CHAPTER XI. 

College President and Educator. 

President of Western College — History of College — Growth 
of College — Discipline — College Removed to Toledo — Address 
on History and Development of Education — Our Educational 
Needs — Finances- — Beneficiary Aid — Endowment — Confidence 
in the Church — Church not Poor — The Teachers Needed — 
The Seminary — Interest in Archaeology and Classics — Semi- 
nary Resolutions 139 



CHAPTER XII. 

Bishop, First Quadrennium, 1881-1885. 

Lisbon General Conference — Educational Question — Speech — 
Pro-rata Representation — Secrecy — President Kephart's Po- 
sition — Elected Bishop — Assigned to Southwest District — 
Reports 163 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Second Quadrennium, 1885-1889. 

General Conference in Fostoria — Secrecy Question — Bishop's 
Address — The Great Debate — Reelected Bishop — Superinten- 
dent — Rotate — Stationed on District- — Committee on Re- 
vision and Its Work — Opposition 175 



CHAPTER XIV. 

Third Quadrennium, 1889-1893. 

Missionary Visits to Africa and Germany — Interests Centered 
in Work of Commission — Bishop's Address — Secession — 
His Position Stated — Reelected — Reports — First Missionary 
Journey — Journal — Seasickness — Burial at Sea — Scotland 
— Liverpool — Sail to Africa — Madeira Islands — Impressions 
of Africa — Sins of Africans — Their Faith — Needs of Africa 
— Address to Bishop and Response — Voyage to Europe — 
London — Paris — Pisa — Rome — Naples — Pompeii — Vesuvius — 
Venice — Berlin — Wittenberg — Erfurt — Weimar — Home Again 
— Second Episcopal Visit — Preaching for Passengers — Ex- 
periences in Africa — Wedding at Shenge — Bishop Taylor's 
Missionaries — Spain — London — Missionary Meeting — Ger- 
many Again — Gollnow — Condition of Women — Jena — Home 
Once More 185 



CHAPTER XV. 
Fourth Quadrennium, 1893-1897. 

Dayton General Conference — Reelected — Bishops Rotate — 
Church Erection — Relation to Bishop Weaver — Visits Home 
of His Childhood — Reminiscences 239 

CHAPTER XVI. 
Fifth Quadrennium, 1897-1901. 

Toledo General Conference — His Prayer — Quarterly Review — ■ 
Jerusalem Mission — Reelected — Bishops Stationed — Eastern 
District — Third Missionary Visit — Progress in Freetown — 
Account of Massacre — Minerals — Experiences — Genoa — Mes- 
sina — Alexandria — Cairo — The Pyramids — Sphinx — The Nile 
— Ghizeh — Heliopolis — Luxor — Joppa — Jerusalem — Bethle- 
hem — Jordan — Dead Sea — Jericho — Jerusalem Mosques — 
Quarries — Back to Nazareth — Bethel — Shiloh — Jacob's Well 
— Shechem — Mts. Gerizim and Ebal — Jezreel — Nazareth — 
Beyrout — Mt. Lebanon — High Court — Baalbec — Emotions — 
Smyrna — Ephesus — Constantinople — Germany — Habits o f 
the People — Homeward Bound — Conferences 248 

CHAPTER XVII. 
Sixth Quadrennium, 1901-1905. 

Frederick General Conference — Centennial Committee and Its 
Work — Grave of Otterbein — Quarterly Review — Tobacco — 
Decisions on Church Law, etc. — Reelected — Stationed on 
Ohio District — Conferences — Southern Field — Church Union 
— Reminiscences 279 



CHAPTER XVIII. 
Emeritus and Promoted, 1905-1906. 

Growing Old — African Malaria — Heart Affected — Devotion to 
Duty — Requests Privilege of Retiring As Active Bishop — 
Bishop Castle's Response — Bishop Emeritus — Memorial 
Services — Prayer — Active Participation in Proceedings — 
Freedom — Labors — Last Work — Death — Account of Funeral 
and Interment at Annville, Pa 290 



CHAPTER XIX. 



As Otheks Esteem Him. 

Appreciative Words Spoken — Doctor Funkhouser's Address — 
Doctor Eberly — Bishop Castle — Bishop Mathews — Bishop 
Carter — Bishop Bell — General Church Officers — Resolu- 
tions by Union Biblical Seminary and General Boards — 
Relation to Missions — Relation to Church Erection — Person- 
al Testimonials — Young Man's Friend 304 



CHAPTER XX. 

A Character Sketch.^ 

Attention to Details — Historical Society — Other Organizations 
— Mental Characteristics — Unassuming Manner — Religious 
Character — Devotion to Duty — Belief in Man — The Lion 
Aroused — Forgiving Spirit — Bible Student — Prayer Life — 
Toleration of Other Faiths — Humane — Love of Home — Love 
for Children — Author — Preacher 336 



CHAPTER XXI. 

As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher. 

Stray Thoughts — Holiness — The Preacher and His Work — 
Texts — Sermon Sketches — Bishops' Address at Fostoria — 
Sermons : "The Church," "Human Knowledge Limited." 
"Christ, God's Answer to the Soul's Ultimate Questions" '. . . 353 



ILLUSTRATIONS 



>* E. B. Kephart [Frontispiece) 

A Sour Apple Tp.ee on Home Place 
/ Stump of Tree in Clearfield County 
^ Rafting Scene on West Branch of Susquehanna River 

Cold Run, where Bishop Kephart was Baptized 

Center Schoolhouse 

Rev. Ezekiel B. Kephart, 1S59 
' Mrs. E. B. Kephart 

Resolutions Adopted by Iowa Senate 

Rev. Ezekiel B. Kephart as Senator 
' Rev. Ezekiel B. Kephart, 1S31 
f Bishop Ezekiel B. Kephart and Grandchild 

Board of Bishops at Grave of Otterbein 

Bishop Ezekiel B. Kephart, 1901 



INTRODUCTION 



These are events and lives in the annals of the years 
that must not and that cannot pass into oblivion. There 
are revolutions and characters in the world's history that 
so stamp themselves on the life and progress of the ages, 
are so interblended with all that has gone before, as to 
make their forgetfulness impossible. It is the province of 
the biographer and the historian to embalm in imperishable 
records the notable facts and achievements of each age and 
generation, not only that the good of the past may thereby 
be garnered, but also that the present may sustain and 
perfect the past. 

The stream of history flows with a united and ever-accel- 
erated movement. It is impossible to tell the number of 
lives represented by, and centering in any single life, es- 
pecially if that life has been influential in the affairs of 
men. There are single lives that become the cynosure for 
many eyes, and a focus of interest for not a domestic circle 
only, but for a church, a nation, the whole world. It is im- 
possible to bound and circumscribe some single life by the 
passing years. It is allied to, and comes out of the infinite, 
the ageless, the eternal. 

The current of life's influence is ever deepening and 
widening. The company we meet and journey with down 
the pathway of the years is ever growing larger. For, be- 
hind all this present, with all its glory of opportunity and 
outlook, there are whole millenniums of history pouring 
into the ever-widening sea about us. What mind can esti- 
mate the richness, the value of this inheritance of the past 
so broadly and generously bestowed? How much wider and 
larger our field of opportunity and usefulness because of 
this bestowment! But for the work and fidelity of the his- 
torian this glorious association with a long and honorable 
past would not be ours to enjoy. 



13 



Introduction 

This alliance with the past brings us face to face with 
grave responsibilities. The past must be maintained and 
carried forward. The work of the ages is on the hands of 
the present actors as a gift; what will we do with it? It 
is ours to make or mar, to use or abuse. The past apart 
from the present can never be made perfect. Paul says of 
the heroes of faith that they cannot be made perfect with- 
out us. We do not have to begin things; others have la- 
bored and we have entered into their labors. The inher- 
itance is rich, the responsibility great. These thoughts 
furnish ample reason for the perpetuity of the eventful, 
fruitful, and princely life of Bishop E. B. Kephart, D.D., 
LL.D., as given in the biography prepared by Prof. L. F. 
John, of Annville, Pa. 

The best and most enduring monument that can be built 
is made out of humanity. This the individual actor does 
in his lifetime. When gone, admiring friends may seek to 
design and fashion symbols of most exquisite beauty, that 
shall take the place of articulate speech, and thus in some 
measure perpetuate beyond the period of present actors 
the influence and memory of one deserving of celebration 
beyond that of the statesman or military chieftain. 

When the method of perpetuating the memory of the 
sainted dead, especially that of a minister of the gospel, 
takes the form of the biographical, how tenderly beautiful 
and delicate the task. Here prose will not do, it must be 
by the ingenious subtleties of poetry. Here heart-histories 
are to be traced and spiritual moods pictured and vocalized, 
to do which no grotesque figures in church-yards, such as a 
broken column, splintered mast, or severed flower, can be 
employed. It must kindle in that unspeakable realm in the 
human heart where love is born, and where divine affection 
thrills the pen and empowers the language of the 
biographer. No one, likely, is better prepared in this in- 
stance to do this work of love and service to the Church 
than the writer of this volume. 

Bishop Kephart is one of a very small number of men in 
the denomination concerning whom public interest began 
early, grew, widening and deepening with every passing 
year until that final moment when the electric wire flashed 
the startling and stunning news to the Church, "Bishop 



14 



Introduction 



Kephart is dead." Seldom if ever has the heart of the de- 
nomination been so deeply and painfully touched as in this 
instance. It was so altogether unlooked for. His life had 
been so rich in all the elements that go to make a great, 
unique character, that when it stopped so suddenly there 
was a great burst of grief from the Church's lips. This 
outflow of sorrow from the great heart of the denomination, 
as shown in the many telegrams sent to the bereaved fam- 
ily, numerous letters of condolence written, as well as the 
impressive funeral obsequies held at the time, and the great 
number of memorial services that followed immediately 
throughout the Church, must be construed to mean the 
great sense of loss that had come to all in this sudden de- 
parture of one who had so long helped to feed the brain 
and soul hunger of thousands. As his life had been an 
occasion of joy to many, so his death was mourned as with 
a sense of personal loss in thousands of households. His 
breadth of accomplishment, gift of power in the pulpit, and 
manly character in all the relations of life, easily account 
for this wide and deep expression of grief. 

He fulfilled David's command to Solomon: "Show thyself 
a man." He accomplished this to a degree that makes his 
life difficult of interpretation. The springs of thought and 
life that flowed from his brain and heart were often so 
deep, fervid, and prophetic that they made him impossible 
of comprehension and explanation. No biographer can ex- 
plain the secret of such a life. He may explain what dies, 
and what goes into the tomb, but not that something that 
evades all the laws of physical life and death, and goes on 
in endless being, blessedness, and memory. Such a man 
cannot perish from the memory of men. 

As to physical manhood, Bishop Kephart was far above 
the ordinary and average man. He had a commanding 
physical presence. He was full-statured, body splendidly 
formed, strong and of athletic build, a very Titan. The 
strength of this magnificent physique, equal to the hardest 
experience of official duties, he utilized to its full, reason- 
able extent in his work. Were it known, it might be that 
his sudden departure to his rest and reward could be traced 
to an undue exercise of slightly waning physical powers. 
It is known that for many years he taxed every power of 



15 



Introduction 

genius and ingenuity he possessed to its utmost limit in the 
accomplishment of the work assigned to him by the Church. 
Every movement he made and every effort he put forth, 
educational, civic, social, and religious, commanded the 
whole man, and had direct bearing on the cause in hand 
and the cause that he loved. This made him persistently, 
unswervingly, and intensely a man of single work. The 
motto of his life was, "This one thing I do." 

Bishop Kephart was easily a leader in the educational 
work of the Church. He was not only a man of great physi- 
cal prowess, but also a man of high intellectual endow- 
ments. He had a superb mental equipment. His academic, 
collegiate, and theological training were of a high order. 
The Church owes for its educational equipment and 
progress an unknown and unreckoned debt to his genius 
and persistent push on this line. He was always talking it, 
praying for it, and preaching it. Well may thousands of 
fathers and mothers in the Church weep for him tears of 
gratitude as they recall his heroic work in this line. Many 
a young man and young woman in this and other countries 
(and some not now so young), can rise up and call him 
blessed, for that influential touch that he gave that changed 
all future life with them. There are few such guides, shel- 
tering and friendly hands as his were. Hundreds that once 
sat under his instruction in old Western College, in Iowa, 
esteem it a great pleasure to cast the flowers of gratitude 
and love upon his still fresh grave. He was a guide, a 
counselor, and a friend of the college student. He well 
understood his condition, besetments, exposure, frailties, 
lofty aspirations, and infinite possibilities, and was ever 
seeking to lead him, not by barren precepts and solemn ex- 
hortations, but with the sympathy and tenderness of a 
brotherly and fatherly heart, up to wiser and better things. 
If there be any difference in our contemplation of him, the 
glory of his character and work on this line shine more 
vividly before us through the shadow of death than in the 
day of his life. It seems eminently fitting that his last day 
and hour should find him engaged in the work for which 
he cherished deepest love and fondest hopes — the cause of 
Christian Education. 



16 



Introduction 



Bishop Kephart was a man of strong, determined pur^ 
pose. He had a strong right will. He could not be side- 
tracked. He might sometimes appear, when in animated 
discussion, to be self-willed, opinionated, dogmatical; but 
there was one of the warmest, most brotherly, kindliest, 
and generous of hearts throbbing behind that brusque, in- 
vincible exterior. 

Two things must be emphasized in the action of his will 
— its defmiteness and force. Some persons can never quite 
decide, and consequently never come to the decisive point 
of action. Such a life is largely without a mission in the 
world, and must be a dead weight on the hands of any 
enterprise. Then there may be the act of choice, but in so 
feeble a way as to represent no energy. Not so in the case 
of Bishop Kephart. His will had the dash and sweep of an 
engine with a full head of steam running on a schedule of 
sixty miles an hour. With him there was certainty and 
energy of choice, and a movement toward the goal that 
defied the fiercest assaults to overthrow. He never asked 
whether things were easy and agreeable, but where is the 
right; this found, his march was like the tread of the war- 
horse in the valley and day of battle. There was only one 
path to his feet, that of the just. 

But it was as bishop that the writer knew him best. 
Through the period of twenty-four years we stood in the 
same official relation to the Church, and it was during this 
period of his life that I can speak with larger personal 
certitude. 

His work as bishop led him to all the conferences, and 
most of the mission fields of the Church, and in all these 
fields his administration commanded hearty approval and 
respect. He shared as bishop the services of seven General 
Conferences, and during this long period of superintendency 
he proved himself a leader of great versatility of character, 
and the hearty approval that his administration received 
every four years proved its wisdom and righteousness. 
While he was firm and unyielding in his decisions, pre- 
eminently positive, and his language at times seemed incis- 
ive, he was nevertheless one of the most conservative of 
officials. While he led in new methods and new schemes 



2 



17 



Introduction 

of church work in a bold and fearless way, he was never 
rash and precipitous of action. 

He was a disciplinarian and a parliamentarian of a very 
high order. He had a very judicial turn of mind. The 
Church owes very much to him for the service he rendered 
it in this respect. His understanding of the Discipline and 
polity of the Church seemed almost perfect. This is well 
verified in his published works, and in the constant appeals 
that were made to him for his decision on the questions 
vital to the success and harmony of the Church. His de- 
cisions were wise and his administration judicious. I 
think his decisions were never appealed from. He was a 
churchman that understood the history and polity of his 
denomination; a statesman that led the advanced thought 
on all questions of policy; a progressive and fearless leader 
in times exciting and perilous. His face was ever to the 
future, and his courage never faltered. He was a defender 
of the faith theological and ecclesiastical, a constructive 
and not a destructive critic. He was always trying to 
strengthen the faith of the people in the old Bible and in the 
usages and polity of the Church. He has left his mark on 
the whole denomination, as an educator, legislator, author, 
and bishop. He traveled widely, read and studied much 
and carefully, and stored a good memory with richest treas- 
ures of thought, all of which gave him great brilliancy and 
force in the pulpit and on the platform. He had a large 
aptitude for historical data and rich and rare illustrations, 
which he turned to happiest use in his public efforts. He 
had a strong literary instinct. He was a lover of books. 
His position as a scholar is shown in the degrees with 
which he was honored. His place as a scholar and as a 
bishop is fixed in the Church's history. All his colleagues 
have fully attested his value to the Church in the high 
office which he held to the day of his translation. 

His sagacity, clear forethought, power to command men 
and organize movements, gave him an unrivaled place 
among us on the various boards of the Church and as a 
denomination. His judicial turn of mind, his tact and 
skill as a parliamentarian, made him a safe leader and guide 
in the judicial and legislative body of the Church — the 
General Conference. If any tangle or confusion chanced to 



18 



Introduction 



spring up in the order of business, he was always able to 
disentangle the difficulty and free the body from embar- 
rassment. Many ministers will recall instances when in the 
crisis of affairs his happy genius would convert chaos into 
order, and then a whole conference would settle down into 
sweet, slightly rippling composure, after one of his master- 
ful dialectical sweeps, so peculiar to him on such occasions. 

He never wrestled with his feet in the air; he always 
stood on and handled eternal verities. In the pulpit there 
was always one greater than the preacher and the bishop — 
a man. Every place he entered was made better by his 
having been there. With him manhood was priceless. He 
made a wise application of knowledge by making it min- 
ister to what he was and to what he ought to be. He sought 
to know the best. He toiled in the field of the actual and 
not the speculative and visionary. The two mighty pillars 
that supported his colossal character were intellectuality 
and Christian morality. This moral majesty never had to 
display itself. It was too great for this. No one ever feared 
that something was going to happen with him. Here the 
human was in fellowship with the divine. He was some- 
what slow of movement but was very forcible. He did not 
shoot up suddenly like a meteor, to die out with a flash, 
but rose into a position of shining as steady as the fixed- 
ness of a star. He was a luminary and not a meteor. 

It was in the light of such a life that we all rejoiced, and 
now that it seems in a measure eclipsed we all mourn with 
a sense of personal loss. So Elisha felt when Elijah was 
caught away from him. So the sons of the prophets felt, 
and in hope of recovering him to the world they sent fifty 
strong men in a three days' search for him. While he went 
away in person his power remained with his representative. 
His mantle fell upon another. May we not hope that it 
may be so in this case? The form has vanished, but the 
life influence and the power of the unseen remain with us. 

How natural for our hearts to cry out in their sense- 
bound craving for visible stays to lean upon, and guides to 
direct our paths to the future! In our blindness we say, 
"Be to us instead of eyes." How we sit in the solitary cir- 
cle, and under the shadow of bereavement, in a measure 
crushed and desolate in feeling, because some one is gone! 



19 



Introduction 

The world, everywhere in it that we go, seems the lonelier 
and sadder because of this loss. 

It is with a view to in a measure overcome this sense of 
loss to relatives, admiring friends, and the Church, that 
this very valuable biography has been prepared. Nothing 
has been omitted by the author of this volume that would 
give interest and value to it. The aim of the author and 
that of the Church is to make this noble life "live on in the 
memory of men." 

Pictures will fade and grow dim, buildings and monu- 
ments wear and crumble away, institutions decline and die, 
but that influence that goes into the souls of men and 
changes them to a nobler and better life, will live on for- 
ever. Some of the words uttered by Bishop Kephart will 
never die. These are the fittest and most enduring monu- 
ments to his memory. We individually, and the whole 
Church, ought to possess larger nobility because he lived 
and worked among us. The ministry of the Church is hon- 
ored because he was in it, and heaven ought to be nearer 
and more joyous in thought now that he has passed within 
its gates. 

Bishop Kephart finished his life here only to enter into 
a broader and more wonderful life in the beyond and in the 
hereafter. "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in 
the temple of my God, and he shall go out no more forever; 
and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the 
name of the city of my God, which is the new Jerusalem; 
and I will write upon him my new name." 

N. Castle. 

Philomath, Oregon, October 29, 1906. 



20 



Our low life was the level's and the night's; 
He 's for the morning. 

This is our master, famous, calm, and dead, 
Borne on our shoulders. 

He knew the signal, and stepped on with pride, 

Over men's pity ; 
Left play for work, and grappled with the world 

Bent on escaping. 

That low man s?es a little thing to do, 

Sees it and does it; 
This high man with a great thing to pursue, 

Dies ere he knows it. 
That low man goes on adding one to one, 

His hundred 's soon hit : 
This high man, aiming at a million, 

Misses an unit. 
That, has the world here — should he need the next, 

Let the world mind him ! 
This, throws himself on God, and unperplexed 

Seeking shall find him. 

-ZROffNING. 



21 



"The clew of our destiny, wander where we will, lies at the 
cradle foot." — Richter. 

"The soil of which such men as he are made is good to be born 
on, good to die for, and good to be buried in." — J. R. Lowell. 



22 



EZEKIEL BORING KEPHART 



CHAPTEE I. 

ANCESTRY. 

Some one has said that the first element of success in 
life is the choice of the right parents. Had Ezekiel 
Boring Kephart been given a thousand choices he prob- 
ably would have selected no other father than Henry 
Kephart, and no other mother than Sarah Gross Kep- 
hart. The necessity then is upon us to follow the well- 
beaten path of biography by devoting a chapter to the 
ancestry of our subject. 

Nicholas Kephart, the paternal ancestor, eldest of 
six brothers, was born in Switzerland. They all 
came to this country and settled in eastern Pennsyl- 
vania about 1750 A.D. Nicholas married Mary Frye, 
of Pennsylvania Dutch extraction. Their son, Henry 
Kephart, half Swiss and half Pennsylvania Dutch, 
married Catharine Smith, a full blooded English 
woman, and settled in Decatur Township in 1804. From 
this union twelve children were born, whose names were 



23 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 



as follows: David, Henry, Andrew, George, William, 
Stephen, Mary, Barbara, Charlotte, Ellen, Nancy, and 
Peggy. When Catharine Smith Kephart died she left, 
living, eleven children, ninety-six grandchildren, and 
sixty-three great-grandchildren. 

The maternal grandparents were Abraham and Eliza- 
beth (Erminheiser) Goss. They were natives of Ger- 
many, but in 1802, in their early life, they cast their lot 
with the hardy pioneers of Decatur Township, Clear- 
field County, Pennsylvania. He was a Revolutionary 
hero, and a man honored and respected by all who knew 
him. An old day-book of Philips & Co., Philipsburg, 
contains the following entry under date of March 18, 
1841: 

Abraham Goss, Sen., Cr, 
By his pension due 4th March 1841 

Net proceeds, Amt $43.55 

The children of Abraham Goss were as follows : George, 
John, Jacob, Isaac, Abraham, David, Mrs. Mary Hop- 
kins, of Blair County, Pa.; Mrs. Betsy Kephart, who 
was born and died in Decatur Township, Clearfield 
County; Mrs. Peggy Carson, Mrs. Susan Beams, and 
Mrs. Sarah Kephart. 

The Goss and Kephart families were neighbors, the 
distance between their homes being only about two 
miles. Abraham Goss cleared his farm in the vicinity of 
the present town of Osceola Mills, and Henry Kephart, 
Sr., located about two miles north. Together they en- 
gaged in the conquest of the pathless wilderness. Wild 
turkey, deer, bear, and panther were plentiful. The 
Indian still roamed the forest. Philipsburg, situated 



24 



Ancestry 



just over the line in Center County, was their common 
trading station. When the pioneer preacher came 
around, these hardy mountaineers gladly responded to 
the summons of the messenger and walked miles to 
service. The young people of these families were 
brought together in their social functions, such as log 
rollings, corn huskings, apple-butter boilings, etc. 

Under such circumstances it is not strange that Henry 
Kephart, Jr., and Sarah Goss, should form an attach- 
ment for each other, and join their lives in holy wed- 
lock. They were mated by birth, experience, education, 
and temperament. Born in the forest, inured to its 
hardships, with habits of industry, and endowed with 
indomitable perseverance and a determination to suc- 
ceed, this twain become one flesh, and began life for 
themselves in the wilderness about two miles west of the 
home of Henry Kephart, Sr. 

To this couple were born thirteen children : Elizabeth, 
who died in infancy; Mrs. Barbara Albert, Shueyville, 
Iowa; Mrs. Mary Crowell, deceased; Isaiah Lafayette, 
editor of the Religious Telescope, Dayton, Ohio ; Ezekiel 
Boring ; Abraham Goss, deceased ; Mrs. Susan Kline, de- 
ceased; Mrs. Belle Jeffries, St. Lawrence, South Dakota; 
William S., who was killed in the Civil War; John 
Henry, a farmer, Shueyville, Iowa; Hiram, who died in 
infancy; Mrs. Sarah McClintock, deceased; and Cyrus 
Jeffries, President of Leander Clark College, Toledo, 
Iowa. 

This couple evidently did not share the superstition 
regarding the number thirteen. Here in the wilder- 
ness they toiled for substance, conquered and enjoyed 



25 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

nature, and served God. One of their sons, risen to 
distinction, has described the early married life of his 
parents : 

"In March, 1826, a young man aged twenty-three 
and a young girl aged eighteen were married. All they 
had in the world to begin with for themselves was, each 
two suits of homespun, a bed, a three-year-old heifer 
with a steer calf by her side, an ax, a grubbing-hoe, a 
shovel-plowshare, and a few dishes. Labor there was no 
demand for. What did they do? Hang around the 
furnaces and wait for employment? No. They struck 
out into the wilderness of Clearfield County, Pennsyl- 
vania. They bought one hundred acres of land — for 
three hundred dollars, all on credit, with interest at six 
per cent, per annum from date. They erected a cabin 
thereon, and commenced to clear out and pay for a 
farm. For a team they procured a pair of three-year- 
old steers, the use of which they were to have for three 
years for training them to work. At the same time they 
bought a steer calf from a neighbor, to mate with their 
own, and paid for it in days' work. At the end of three 
years, when the steers had to be given up, their own 
calves were old enough to make a team. So they worked 
on. They raised their own provisions. They raised 
flax. They got a couple of sheep, and from the flax and 
wool which the good wife cleansed, prepared, spun, and 
wove, she made their own clothes. In about twenty- 
five years they paid for their land — interest and all 
amounting to seven hundred dollars — raised a family of 
thirteen children, and lived comparatively independent 
all the time. True, they lived poor, and were destitute 



26 



Ancestry 



of luxuries, — the man did not smoke cigars or drink 
whisky and lager, the wife did not wear silk dresses, 
ten-dollar bonnets and four-dollar gaiters,— but they 
lived contented and happy, and both lived to enjoy the 
comforts of a ripe old age, good health, and independ- 
ent circumstances. 

"Now, what this couple have done thousands of others 
have done. They first secured a piece of land, cleared 
it out into a good farm, raised their children, and in- 
creased their earthly possessions until they became com- 
pletely independent. All this their industry, economy, 
prudence, and forethought, with God's blessing on their 
labor's toil, secured for them." 

The educational privileges of Henry Kephart, Jr., 
and Sarah Goss were very limited. The school year was 
very short, the teachers without necessary qualifica- 
tions, and the children were needed at home. The fol- 
lowing description will be instructive : 

"As early as 1820 Abel Benton taught a 'subscription 
school' in Philipsburg, there being then no public school 
system. Parents who were able and willing to pay to 
him two dollars could send for that amount of tuition 
one pupil for two months. 

"To this teacher grandfather Goss paid at one time 
four dollars, for which the writer's mother and her next 
younger brother received instruction in his school for 
two months; but to enjoy the benefits of that instruc- 
tion they were compelled to walk three miles morning 
and evening, their home being that distance from the 
school. Think of this, ye favored children of to-day! 
It was in the cold weather, the days were short, deep 



27 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

snows fell in that mountain region, and the road lay 
through an almost unbroken forest of pine, hemlock 
and laurel, up and down steep hills. 

"At the peep of day this girl of fourteen summers, 
accompanied by her brother, two years her junior, both 
dressed out in homespun, shod with coarse, heavy 
shoes made by her father's own hand (each pioneer was 
of necessity his own shoemaker), with a dinner basket 
in her hand containing a lunch and two copies of Web- 
ster's spelling-book, would set out and tramp three 
miles, often through deep, pathless snows, to be taught 
spelling, reading, and writing. That two months' 
schooling was all the school privileges mother ever en- 
joyed." 

It cannot be said, however, that these parents lacked 
appreciation of the value of an education, for they la- 
bored to give their children better facilities than they 
themselves enjoyed. Henry Kephart, Jr., became a local 
preacher in the United Brethren Church, and was a 
faithful expounder of the Word until he had passed his 
four score years. 



28 



"Oft did the harvest to their sickle yield, 

Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe has broke ; 
How jocund did they drive their teams afield ! 

How bowed the woods beneath their sturdy stroke !" 

— Gray's Elegy. 

"In the man whose childhood has known caresses, there is always 
a fibre of memory that can be toned to gentle issues." — George 
Eliot. 



29 



CHAPTEE II. 



CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH. 

On November 6, 1834, it was announced that a man 
child was born to Henry and Sarah Kephart. To the 
hardy pioneer the birth of a boy meant help in clearing 
the forests, and the increase of material wealth, hence 
it was an occasion of great joy. Three daughters came 
to grace this particular home before the arrival of the 
first boy. When the third made her debut, a neighbor 
who had been blessed with several boys boasted that 
when her husband was clearing wheat fields Henry Kep- 
hart would be buying bonnets, a pitiful vaunt, not much 
appreciated by the Kepharts. But to them also came 
the sturdy conquerors of the wilderness, the first being 
ye editor, Dr. I. L., and the second being the subject of 
this book. 

This new arrival was christened Ezekiel Boring in 
honor of an itinerant United Brethren minister and 
presiding elder, who was highly esteemed by the fam- 
ily because of his sterling Christian character. Doubt- 
less the biblical name, Ezekiel, had much attraction 
for these pious parents, as the older son was christened 
Isaiah, and the next younger Abraham. 

It may not be as possible to analyze a man into racial 
elements as it is to separate a physical compound into 
its chemical components, but "blood will tell," and the 



30 



Childhood and Youth 



physical, mental;, and spiritual makeup of our subject 
will not allow us to forget that in his veins flowed the 
blood of Swiss, German, English, and Pennsylvania 
Dutch. In him were happily combined the Swiss love 
of freedom and hatred of tyranny, whether in state or 
church, class or individual; the German philosophical 
and theological bent, the common sense and practical 
solidity of the English, and the frugal industry of the 
Pennsylvania Dutch. 

Environment is also a potent factor with which we 
must reckon. This child was born in a log cabin about 
sixteen feet square, constructed by his father's hand. It 
was chinked and daubed. The floor was constructed of 
rough pine boards. It consisted of one story and a 
loft, which was reached by a permanent ladder erected in 
one corner and entering above into an opening. The 
"spare bed," for the casual guest and the "man of God" 
on his spiritual round, was in the loft, the family occu- 
pying the room below. The older brother tells of his 
recollection of the visit of a favorite uncle to this wilder- 
ness palace. Little Isaiah plead to sleep with "Uncle," 
and was granted permission. In the morning when he 
awoke he was unable to reach the ladder and descend 
alone, so he crept to the opening and called down for 
help, when his tall uncle came to his rescue, reached up 
and took him by the ears, and he, with great confidence, 
made a dive for his uncle's head, and so descended to 
the room below. 

One Sunday evening, Ezekiel being about two years 
old, the father of the family was quietly reading his 
much-loved Bible and the children were playing about, 



31 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

when their ears were suddenly pierced by the squeal of 
a hog. The father's trained ear with pioneer instinct 
surmised the cause, and he exclaimed, "A bear has that 
hog." Eeaching above the door he seized his trusty 
rifle, ready for any emergency, and disappeared in the 
bush, while the children breathlessly awaited results. 
Very soon they heard the crack of the rifle. The bear 
was shot in the act of killing a hog owned by Jacob 
Baughman, the nearest neighbor, who dressed it, and the 
next morning brought a fine piece of pork to the Kep- 
hart mansion. At another time those boys remember 
the dogs chased a bear up a tree. It rested on a large 
limb and lay there calmly taunting the yelping canines 
below. Henry Kephart with his unerring rifle rolled 
Sir Bruin off his perch. This occurred at a season when 
"bear meat was good," hence the Kepharts and Baugh- 
mans had an abundance of savory meat. The hide was 
stretched in Kephart's barn, and the children were 
afraid to go there lest "the bear would catch them." 
Sometimes the little ones feared to go to sleep at night 
lest a bear should come, when the mother would assure 
them that no harm could come to them when father and 
his trusty rifle were there. 

Wild deer roamed about the forest, and savory ven- 
ison was plentiful. In the evening gloaming they were 
wont to frequent the buckwheat fields for grazing. 
Henry Kephart, Jr., would sometimes relate to his 
children that at one time when a boy, in company with 
his father they went to the buckwheat field and hid 
themselves to await the coming of deer. Soon they 
saw twenty-four leap into the field, engrossed with the 



32 



sour apple tree on the home place, and ivhich is still alive, 
from which Bishop Kephart, when a boy, gathered 
the apples so often referred to by him in 
illustrations of his sermons. 



Childhood and Youth 



prospect of their evening meal. The father's rifle 
selected the finest, while the rest disappeared in the 
bush with the speed of deer. Wild turkey was also plen- 
tiful to supply the table on festal days, while lesser 
game was always to be found by the skillful hunter. 

With such environments there was sufficient incentive 
for every boy to strive to become an adept in the use of 
the rifle. The subject of this sketch responded to this 
influence and became a skillful hunter and an excellent 
marksman. 

There was no lack of work in the pioneer home for 
either sex. The production of "linsey-woolsey" com- 
bined in one agriculture, manufacturing, and commerce. 
The material must be produced and gathered, the flax 
scutched and the wool combed, and the cloth woven and 
the garments made. In this process much employment 
was found for little hands and feet. Some years since, 
Dr. I. L. Kephart, editor of the Religious Telescope, 
brother of the Bishop, published a number of articles 
on "Pioneer Life in the Alleghenies." As they furnish 
the best description of the early environment with 
which I am acquainted, and as it is impossible to rightly 
appreciate the character of the man without an ade- 
quate knowledge of his environment, with the author's 
permission generous portions are borrowed from these 
articles for this part of our narrative : 

"One of the difficulties with which the pioneers had 
to grapple was procuring material for clothing. Money 
was scarce and exceedingly difficult to obtain. About 
the only plentiful products of the country were skins 
of wild animals and pine and hemlock timber; but to 



3 



33 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

procure money for the skins it was necessary to carry 
them as far east as Bellefonte, Lewistown, or Hunting- 
don. At the store in the little town of Philipsburg 
they could exchange them for ammunition, sugar, cof- 
fee and whisky, but not for money. Pine timber was 
altogether unmarketable in the early years of the settle- 
ment, as there were no means or roads by which to con- 
vey it east of the mountains, where there would have 
been demand for it. Later, however, thousands upon 
thousands of pine shingles were 'wagoned' across the 
mountains, also much sawed lumber, and great rafts of 
logs were floated down the Susquehanna Elver to mar- 
ket. 

"Muslin, calico, and woolen cloth were scarcely in the 
market at all in that region, or if they were, the 
pioneers had nothing with which to purchase. Conse- 
quently they were wholly dependent upon 'home manu- 
facturing' for the fabrics needed for clothing and bed- 
ding. To meet the demand each settler managed in 
some way to provide himself with a few sheep which, ow- 
ing to the abundance of wolves, had to be carefully 
housed every night. They would also raise each sum- 
mer half an acre or more (according to the size of the 
family) of flax. 

"Some time in the month of May the wife would 
shear the sheep and wash the wool. From that on 
through the summer she would diligently devote all the 
time she could spare from attending to her children,, 
the routine of household affairs, and the cultivating of 
the garden, to carding the wool with a pair of hand 
cards, and spinning it into yarn. 



34 



Childhood and Youth 



'"TThen the flax was ripe she would pull it, her hus- 
band would thresh off the seed, and she would spread it 
out on the smoothly-mown meadow to bleach — that is, 
to so expose it to the dew, rain, and sun as to rot the 
inner wood of the straw, so that it could be separated 
from the strong fiber. This process of bleaching the 
flax required about three weeks' time. 

"It was then raked up and tied in large bundles, and 
laid away in a dry place till after wheat sowing in the 
fall was finished, and then it was taken to a suitable 
place and dried over a fire. This was done by driving 
four sticks into the ground and laying upon these suit- 
able poles about four feet above the ground, or fire, and 
upon these the flax was thinly spread. If by oversight 
the fire was permitted to burn too high the flax would 
smoke, and even take fire and burn. To this process 
the prophet doubtless had reference when he says, 'He 
will not quench the smoking flax/ 

"When the flax was sufficiently dried the husband 
would take a large handful and put it into the 'break/ 
a home-made machine, which he worked with his right 
hand while he held and guided the flax with his left. In 
this way he would break out all the woody part of the 
stalks and preserve the strong fiber. The 'break" 
stood on four legs, and contained five large wooden 
blades, or knives — three below and two above — and so 
arranged that they shut into each other as the upper 
part of the machine was brought down upon the lower. 

"As the husband broke the flax the faithful wife stood 
by with her scutching-board and scutching-knife, and 
by means of a laborious 'scutching' process she cleaned 



35 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

out all the broken woody pieces of stalk that the break- 
ing process had failed to remove. Of course, as the 
children became large enough to do so, their services 
were brought into requisition. Many a day has the 
writer, with his two elder sisters, stood by the scutching- 
board wielding the knife till his arm and shoulder 
ached. 

"After the flax was broken and scutched the wife 
would take it and subject it to a hackling process. This 
consisted of drawing it through the long steel teeth of 
a comb called a tackle/ This, too, was a tedious, la- 
borious process by which the tow or coarser parts of the 
fiber were separated from the flax proper. 

"Then by means of the spinning-wheel the tow was 
spun into coarse yarn, and the flax into yarn of a finer 
quality. When the yarn was spun both it and the 
woolen yarn were subjected to a scouring process, after 
which it was dyed blue, red, or yellow, according to the 
taste of the party concerned. For dyeing purposes in- 
digo, madder, oak and walnut barks were used. 

"The yarn thus prepared was taken to the weaver, 
there being usually two or three women who were weav- 
ers in the neighborhood. In the weaving the flax yarn 
was generally used for the warp, and the woolen yarn 
for the woof. If, however, the cloth was intended for 
shirts, summer pantaloons, sheets, towels, etc., both the 
warp and the woof were flax yarn. The writer's mother 
was a weaver. Well does he remember seeing her sitting 
'behind the loom' day after day, throwing the shuttle 
and swinging the lathe, and many, many a day did he, 
when a small boy, sit and 'wind the quills' (bobbins), 



36 



Childhood and Youth 



for his mother to weave. In fact, the first piece of 
money he ever had that he could call his own was a 
silver ten-cent piece which his mother gave him as a 
special reward for faithful service 'in winding quills* 
for her through an entire long winter, one of her patrons 
having paid for the weaving of his web of cloth in 
money (a very unusual thing). Ah, how his eyes danced 
as he gazed upon the coin. It was the prettiest thing he 
ever saw. He has never felt so rich since as he did with 
that dime in his pocket. 

"That cloth composed of flax warp and woolen woof 
was called 'linsey/ and was made into the heavier or 
outer garments for the family. When it was taken from 
the loom, being quite hard and rough, the next thing to 
be done was to subject it to a softening and 'fulling' pro- 
cess. To do this settlers would have what they called 
'kicking matches/ These consisted of inviting in for an 
evening half a dozen or more of the men of the neigh- 
borhood, and then the web of the cloth, having been 
boiled in soapsuds, was taken out of the large iron 
kettle and placed in a heap in the middle of the floor. 
The men would arrange themselves in a circle on 
chairs, benches, and stools around the pile of cloth, in 
their bare feet, with their pants rolled up above their 
knees, and a heavy plow-line or a bed-cord placed around 
the entire circle up about the shoulders for them to lean 
against, and all seated so that with their feet they could 
just cleverly reach the cloth. When all was ready warm 
soapsuds from the kettle were poured over the cloth, and 
at a given signal all commenced to kick. Of course the 
suds would fly, splash, splash, splash, and the feet would 



37 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

go lickety-split for ten, fifteen, or twenty minutes, when 
they would stop for a little rest; more soapsuds would 
be poured on, and again the kicking would proceed; in 
this way they would continue, laughing, kicking, and 
talking, three hours or more. When the fulling, softening 
process was completed, the cloth hung out on the fence 
to drip and dry, the floor scrubbed up, a good supper 
was served, and the light-hearted mountaineers repaired 
to their several homes rejoicing in the fact that their 
feet were unusually clean. 

"The writer remembers very well some of these jolly 
'kicking matches' he witnessed in his father's cabin. 
Cooped up on the bed with his two older sisters, it was 
for them the greatest sport to witness the men, all lean- 
ing hard on the plow-line, kicking, laughing, and the 
soapsuds flying to the joists. 

"By the tedious, laborious process described above the 
hardy, industrious husband and wife managed to clothe 
comfortably and respectably themselves and their chil- 
dren. The linen cloth used for shirts and for summer 
pantaloons was subjected to a scalding and beating 
process which made it soft and white, and never was nor 
will be the writer more happy in this world than when, 
dressed up in his clean linen shirt and linen pantaloons, 
with a new straw hat on his head, he tripped away in his 
bare feet by the side of his father two miles to the first 
Sunday school held in all that region." 

The process of clearing the ground and preparing 
grain for food is so novel in the present day that the 
reader will be glad for the description given in "Pioneer 
Life" : 



38 



Childhood and Youth 



"The great task was to clear the land so as to raise 
crops. Persuaded that the soil which produced the most 
wonderful growth of timber was the richest, and would 
be the most productive if once cleared, the early settlers 
built their cabins in the dense forests of pine and hem- 
lock, and commenced the Herculean task of clearing out 
farms. Those of the present generation can scarcely 
form any conception of the vast amount of toil — chop- 
ping, log-rolling, brush-picking and burning — that was 
required to clear a single acre of that land. True, they 
girdled all the larger pine trees, and the larger hem- 
locks they climbed to the top of, a hundred feet or more, 
and trimmed off all the branches and left the naked 
trunks stand. This they did because these trees had 
such great, widespreading, dense branches that if they 
were not trimmed they would produce too much shade. 
The fact is, it required about as much work to clear 
one acre of this forest ready for the plow as it did to 
prepare forty acres of prairie for a corn crop. And 
then, when it was cleared, the stumps stood so close to 
each other and the ground was so completely covered 
with a network of roots that to plow it with a common 
old-fashioned 'shovel plow' was a most tedious, labo- 
rious task. 

"The new settlers, knowing no better, toiled away, and 
in time they and their hardy sons had cleared out large 
farms, while others, by experiments, ascertained that 
the land on the higher ridges, which was not so densely 
wooded and much easier cleared and cultivated, was 
quite as productive as was the land in the dense pine 
and hemlock forests, and they began to clear out farms 



39 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

where less labor was required. But even there the toil 
required was great, and the soil throughout the entire 
region was so thin that after the second or third crop 
ten bushels of wheat to the acre were considered a very 
good yield, while corn did even worse, proportionately. 
Buckwheat was the most profitable crop, the thin soil 
being well adapted to that peculiar cereal. 

"A crop having been produced, the next great task 
was to thresh, clean, and 'mill' it. The wheat, after hav- 
ing been gathered into sheaves by the use of the small, 
one-hand sickle, was hauled into the small barn, built of 
round logs and covered with clapboards, where it could 
be threshed by piecemeal during the fall and winter 
season. The threshing was quite a laborious task. The 
implement used was called a flail. It was composed of 
two pieces of solid hickory or mountain-ash wood, the 
one piece was called the staff, which served as the 
handle, and the other and more heavy piece was called 
the 'supple/ These two pieces were so bound together 
by thongs of untanned buckskin as to form a pliable 
joint at their point of union. When threshing, the 
thresher would lay down eight or ten sheaves on the 
barn floor, and by deftly swinging the 'supple' of the 
flail over his head, would pound away till one side was 
well beaten, then turn and beat the other side, then open 
up the sheaves and give them another beating, and then 
turn again and beat again, and in that way, if the 
weather was dry, he could, by working hard, thresh from 
five to six bushels a day. If the weather was damp, it 
was a much more tedious and laborious process, and 
almost impossible to beat all the wheat out of the straw. 



40 



Childhood and Youth 



Later, when the pioneer came to have a larger barn 
floor and owned horses, he would throw down about fif- 
teen or twenty dozen sheaves and put two horses on them 
and tramp out the wheat. In this way he could thresh 
more rapidly and with much less labor. 

"In the earlier days, there being no sawmills, the 
threshing-floors were made of 'puncheons/ that is, of 
flat pieces of wood split out of pine or chestnut logs, 
and dressed by the use of the ax so as to make a tight 
floor, and the reader may imagine what a tedious, la- 
borious task it was to construct a threshing-floor in that 
way. The buckwheat crop they threshed on the ground. 

"The threshing done, the next serious task was to sep- 
arate the wheat from the chaff, there being no fanning 
mills in that region. This was done by fastening one 
edge of a sheet to one of the walls of the threshing-floor, 
and the wife would, by taking the other edge in her 
hands and flapping the sheet, make wind, while the 
husband, with a large wooden paddle or shovel, would 
throw up the wheat in front of the flapping sheet, and 
the wind thus made would blow away the chaff. 

"The next great difficulty was to get the grain to the 
mill and bring the flour home, the nearest mill being 
across the mountains, and fifteen miles away. One 
would pack it on the back of a trusty horse, if he were 
fortunate enough to own or was able to borrow one, 
another on the back of a gentle ox, while others would 
carry it on their own backs. The road across the moun- 
tains was only a foot-path, and wagons, carts, and even 
sleds were not in use. The writer's grandfather would 
take a bushel of wheat on his back and carry it the 



41 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

entire distance one day, getting it ground during the 
night, and return the next day with the flour. This he 
did frequently, and when it is remembered that he had 
a family of from five to eight children to provide for, 
some idea of the greatness of the task can be formed; 
but then it must be remembered that bread in the 
family was only an occasional luxury. The chief arti- 
cles of food were boiled wheat, beans, hominy, potatoes, 
venison, bear meat, wild turkey, etc. In this manner 
they subsisted in their mountain homes, and withal en- 
joyed a good degree of comfort and happiness, for where 
the strongest ties of filial affection and freedom abound, 
unrestrained by despot or fashion, there happiness is to 
be found, even if the daily fare and the clothing be 
scant and homely. 

"Hominy was of two kinds, prepared in two different 
ways. One way was by means of the Tiominy block/ 
This was simply an excavation made in a large log, a 
stump or a large stone, in which the mountaineers would 
place about a quart of corn, and then, by the use of a 
round stone weighing from ten to twelve pounds, they 
would hammer and crush the kernels into a coarse meal 
which, on being subjected to a long process of boiling, 
was converted into a very palatable mush. The other 
kind was made as follows : About a peck of corn was 
placed into a large iron kettle, and over it was poured a 
strong leach made from wood ashes, in which it was 
boiled until the kernels became soft and the outer hull, 
or bran, would burst and peel off. Then the corn thus 
softened was thoroughly washed and soaked in clean 
water, and when fried in the drip of venison was a very 



42 



Childhood and Youth 



savory dish, highly enjoyed by a hungry mountaineer. 
The chief obstacle in the way of preparing this kind of 
hominy was the fact that so very few of the settlers pos- 
sessed the large iron kettle." 

Of course we must remember that they had no heat- 
ing or cooking stoves. The great fireplace in the big 
chimney in the corner of the room did service for both. 
Into this great logs were heaped in frigid weather, and 
about it the family assembled in the long wintry even- 
ings for serious work or playful humor. Here the 
family meals in a "dutch oven" or great kettle set on 
the coals or suspended from the crane or chain, were 
prepared. In "Pioneer Life" we read : 

"In one corner of the cabin stood the structure so 
essential to the pioneer's comfort — the 'corner chimney/ 
It was constructed of undressed stone and clay mortar, 
and large enough to take in logs of wood a foot in 
diameter and five feet long, and there being plenty of 
good wood to be had for the chopping and hauling, the 
cabins were usually very comfortably warmed through- 
out the long winters. The chimney, or fireplace, served 
a twofold purpose, however, being used for cooking as 
well as for heating purposes. Over it, by the use of a 
few links of a large chain and a rough iron hook, would 
be hung the 'dinner-pot/ containing meat and potatoes 
for dinner, or cornmeal or hominy to be cooked into 
mush for supper. There was also a frying-pan used for 
frying meat for breakfast, and a 'dutch oven' used for 
baking bread. These simple cooking utensils, with a 
few plain dishes, constituted the entire culinary outfit 
in a mountaineer's cabin." 



43 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

The "clearing" was always inviting the hardy 
pioneers to labor. As the Kephart boys grew up, to 
clear ten acres annually was the goal. There was chop- 
ping and grubbing and log-rolling, and burning of 
brush, and picking of chips and stones afforded some- 
thing for every one to do. Our modern division of labor 
was practically impossible. Each farmer was compelled 
to be his own carpenter and blacksmith. In "Pioneer 
Life" we read : 

"In a large measure each settler was his own shoe- 
maker, wheelwright, and physician. If a member of 
one family was taken sick a neighbor was called in and 
resort was had to teas, poultices, plasters, etc., such as 
had been known to afford relief in other cases. Only in 
very rare instances, and that, too, after a prolonged 
illness, was a neighbor dispatched to Philipsburg, Clear- 
field, or Glen Hope for Dr. Hill, Dr. Lorain, or Dr. 
Eule. The writer well remembers how, when a small 
boy, he and his little brother, now Bishop Kephart, were 
in the barn hunting for hens' nests, and the latter falling 
out of the horse- trough broke his arm just above the 
wrist joint. Father was called in from the field in great 
haste, and instead of going or sending for a physician 
neighbor Baughman was sent for, and he and father set 
the broken bone, bound it up in a compact case made of 
pieces of pine shingle whittled out with a jack- 
knife, and in about six weeks it was restored whole as 
the other. 

"For blacksmith work the neighborhood was depend- 
ent for several years upon Grandfather Kephart. He 
had never served an apprenticeship at the trade, but be- 



44 



Childhood and Youth 



ing ingenious, constructed for himself a forge and bel- 
lows, procured a heavy block of cast iron from the forge 
at Philipsburg for an anvil, also a hammer or two, and 
he would sharpen plowshares, set wagon tires, and shoe 
horses. In fact, his shop and his tools were free for the 
use of all, and any one was at liberty to go there, start 
a fire, and do his own smithing, grandfather's coal bank 
near by furnishing the coal. Each pioneer made his 
own shovel-plows, harrows, sleds, hayrakes, fork handles, 
hoe handles, flails, etc. Of course they were not finished 
in very fine style, but they served the purpose for which 
they were intended." 

Money was almost unknown to many of these early 
settlers before the middle of the nineteenth century. 
The store of Philips & Co., Philipsburg, was a kind of 
clearing house for Clearfield and Center counties. Some 
old account-books, now in possession of Mr. John D. Gill, 
of Philipsburg, bear witness to the character and quan- 
tity of business transacted. The prices of that day con- 
trasted strangely with those of to-day. We have already 
been reminded that land might be paid for by lumber, 
meat, or cereals. Even the finances of the church and 
Sunday school were conducted through the medium of 
the store. We learn from the account-book that on 
November 27, 1840, Henry Kephart, Jr., bought three 
fur caps. As Ezekiel at that time was six years old, he 
doubtless became the happy possessor of one, while his 
elder brother, "ye editor," sported another. The fol- 
lowing entry is also found : 

Henry Kephart, Jr., Dr. 
To y 2 Bushel dried apples at 62y 2 .3134 
To 1 Box copper caps 20; % lb. powder 12% . .32y 2 $0.63% 

45 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 



Nails cost 12-| cents a pound, sugar 15 cents, a cotton 
handkerchief 45 cents; pork and venison sold for 
and 5 cents. 

The following entry will show how the preacher was 
paid : 

Sundries Dr. to Rev. Mr. Natt, 
For 1 quarter's subscription Due 27th, Dec. 1840. 
Hardwin Philips, 1 Qr. $12.50 

William Bagshaw, 
John Matley, 
James Hudson, 
William McClellen, 
James Dale, 
John Hudson, 
Hamilton Moreland, 
Abraham Goss, Sen., 
George Loyd, 



2.50 
2.50 
.50 
1.25 

.12% 
.50 
1.25 
.50 

1.25 $23.87y 2 



"Money-making by these pioneers was not a lost, but 
an undiscovered art. In fact, money had scarcely any 
existence. What there was consisted chiefly of foreign 
silver coins known to the pioneers as fippenny bit (six 
and a fourth cents), elevenpenny bit (twelve and a half 
cents), twenty-five cents, fifty cents, and the five-franc 
coin, valued at ninety-five cents. The business transac- 
tions, what there were, were carried on by means of 
trade or barter. The place of market was Philipsburg. 
To this mart the pioneers came as many as twelve to 
twenty miles through the wilderness, bringing their 
grain, butter, eggs, hides, and venison. 

"Philipsburg was founded by Hartman Philips, a 
wealthy Englishman who, having fallen heir to a vast 
tract of that densely timbered region, came there, built 
a grist mill, a foundry, and a screw factory, and a man 

46 



Childhood and Youth 

by the name of Kichard Plumb built and operated a 
forge. These industries employed a number of men, and 
a little village sprung up, taking its founder's name, a 
couple of stores were opened, and here the people traded. 
Eoads were opened across the mountains from this 
point — one east to Bellefonte, one southeast to Storms- 
town, and one more nearly south to Warrior's Mark and 
Huntingdon. To this little town the pioneers would 
bring their meager products and exchange them for 
coffee, tobacco, nails, etc. Sugar and tea they seldom 
bought. The former they made out of the sap of the 
maple tree, and for the latter they depended chiefly on 
black birch bark, spice bush, sassafras, and mountain 
tea." 



47 



"All systems of morality are fine. The gospel alone has exhibited 
a complete assemblage of morality, divested of- all absurdity. It is 
not composed, like your creed, of a few commonplace sentences put 
into bad verse. Do you wish to see that which is really sublime ? 
Repeat the Lord's Prayer." — Napoleon Bonaparte. 

"Train up a child in the way he should go : and when he is old, 
he will not depart from it." — Proverbs 22 : 6. 

That eloquent statesman, Henry Clay, had just propounded a 
political scheme to an associate. "It will ruin your prospect for 
the presidency," suggested his friend. "Is it right?" said Mr. Clay. 
"Yes," was the answer. Mr. Clay continued, "I would rather be 
right than be president." 



48 



CHAPTER III. 



MORAL AND SPIRITUAL ENVIRONMENT. 

In the consideration of environment we must not 
forget the moral and spiritual factors. The moral 
characteristics were somewhat varied. There could be 
found a survival of the ancient code that "might makes 
right/' The male sex indulged in frequent tests of 
physical prowess. Their pugilistic encounters may not 
always have been up to the modern scientific standard, 
but the winner of a "bout" would be regarded a hero 
by his set. They were fond of intoxicants, and the ac- 
cepted standard of ethics did not condemn strong drink, 
which was usually provided in abundance at barn-rais- 
ings, log-rollings, and other social and industrial gather- 
ings. It is a marked feature of the pioneers that the 
social and industrial were combined, perhaps because 
they craved social companionship, but were too busy or 
too industrious by habit to enjoy a social function pure 
and simple. 

A barn-raising or log-rolling without two or three 
fights would be regarded as intolerably prosy. If a fight 
could not be started in any other way, some "bully" 
would lay a chip on his shoulder and strut about, daring 
any man to knock it off. He who knocked it off thereby 
declared his acceptance of the challenge, and the fight 
was on. 



4 



49 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

The champion of a neighborhood would carefully 
guard his reputation. The author of "Pioneer Life" 
furnishes the following story, which the Bishop related 
sometimes for the amusement of friends: 

"Disputes were generally settled by fist fights. In . 
fact, disputes seldom arose unless some one was so reck- 
less as to assert that he was a 'better man' than some 
one else. In such cases the only settlement possible was 
a regular set-to with the fists. In the neighborhood 
known as the Haggerty settlement, lying in the region 
of what is now known as Houtsdale and Spruce Flat, 
it was generally conceded that Henry Haggerty was 'the 
best man.' The settlement was mostly composed of 
Haggerties, Alexanders, McCloughs, and Whitesides — 
all Protestant Irish. It happened that a noted 'bully* 
by the name of James Gill moved from the vicinity of 
what is now know as Grahampton, and settled in the 
Haggerty neighborhood. Soon after arriving there he 
was so indiscreet as to remark to some one that he had 
come into that neighborhood 'to tan Irish hides.' That 
evening the man to whom the remark was made walked 
over to Henry Haggerty's and informed him of the re- 
mark made by Gill. The next morning Haggerty was 
up by the peep of day, mounted his horse, and rode 
three miles over to Gill's cabin. Halting near the door 
he shouted, 'Hello, Jim Gill !' Gill came to the door 
and he exclaimed, 'Good morning, Jim Gill, I under- 
stand that you have come up into this neck o' woods to 
tan Irish hides. Now here's one that needs tanning 
very badly, so come right along.' With that Haggerty 
dismounted, tied his horse to a tree, and doffed his hat 



50 



Moral and Spiritual Environment 



and coat. By this time Grill was out in the road, and at 
it they went. After a terrible battle, for they were both 
very able-bodied, gritty men — Haggerty downed Gill 
and he shouted 'enough/ With that he took Gill by the 
hand and helped him to his feet; they both walked to 
the brook near by, washed the blood from their faces, 
then shook hands, Gill acknowledging that Haggerty 
was the best man, and the latter mounted his horse and 
rode home as complacently as if he had been attending 
church. From that on these two men were the best of 
friends, and peace reigned in the neighborhood. Of 
course differences occurred, but were settled as follows : 

"If a dispute arose between two neighbors about 
wages or services rendered, or anything else which they 
themselves could not settle, they would generally agree 
to go to some disinterested neighbor in whose honesty 
and judgment both had confidence; each one would 
make a statement in the presence of the other as to his 
understanding of the case, and then abide by the deci- 
sion of the third party. 

"Occasionally, however, one would go to a justice of 
the peace, who was furnished with a copy of the civil 
code of the State, and sue his neighbor. In that case 
witnesses were subpoenaed, and the justice himself usu- 
ally conducted the examination. But once in a while 
the parties to the suit would secure the services of 
neighbors who were regarded as experts in conducting 
lawsuits. These were called 'pettifoggers/ and they 
would conduct the examination f in open court/ After 
hearing the testimony the justice of the peace (who went 
by the name of 'squire') would render his decision, and 



51 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

in very rare instances was there an appeal to the county 
court. 

"But as time rolled on and civilization (?) advanced, 
this peaceable and inexpensive method of procedure 
passed away. The wilderness became more thickly pop- 
ulated, the more restless, ambitious sons of the pioneers 
became players on the stage. Many 'lumbermen' came 
in from distant parts, land became much more valuable, 
disputes arose as to claims, boundary lines, titles, etc., 
lawyers increased in number, and litigation became far 
more prevalent." 

In the Kephart home moral and spiritual forces were 
at work which gradually raised the standard of the com- 
munity. The "doings" of the gatherings were talked 
over in the home, and so commented on as to lead the 
children to discriminate for themselves — to love the true 
and hate the false. This house was open for "meetings." 
Here the word was preached by the example of the 
parents and by the pioneer preachers. The circuits 
were so large, and so much time was required to get 
around, that a definite day for an appointment could 
not be given in advance, hence when a preacher arrived 
the children were dispatched to the neighbors within a 
radius of several miles to announce an evening service. 

The following graphic description of the religious 
customs of the preacher and the services is given in 
"Pioneer Life" : 

"These cabins not only served as places of abode, but 
in a few cases for houses of public worship as welL In 
these early days the pioneer United Brethren preachers 
'from across the mountains' found their way into this 



Moral and Spiritual Environment 



wilderness, and there being no schoolhouse or church, 
'Grandfather Goss,' and later the writer's father, opened 
their cabins, accorded the preacher a hearty welcome, 
lodged him, and gladly shared with him the best of 
their homely fare. On his arrival the boys were sent 
around to the neighbors to inform them that there 
would be preaching that night. In due time the cabin 
would be crowded with ten or a dozen of the neighbors, 
the preacher would preach, and after preaching spend 
an hour in prayer, exhortation, and 'experience meet- 
ing.' The writer well remembers one such meeting held 
in his father's cabin (for not until he was in his sixth 
year did his parents move into a larger 'hewed-log 
house'). The cabin was sixteen by twenty feet in size. 
In it were the 'corner chimney,' the ladder by which to 
ascend into the loft, two beds and the trundle-bed shoved 
under one of the larger beds, a weaver's loom, and a 
table. A few rough, short benches were placed in the 
remaining unoccupied space for the neighbors. We 
children were cooped up on the beds. A tallow dip, 
borrowed for the occasion from our best and nearest 
neighbor, 'Katy' Baughman, sat on the table, and one of 
the old-fashioned lard-burning lamps hung by a hook 
from one of the joists in the back part of the room near 
the door, and a comfortable fire burned in the fireplace. 
It was late in the fall and the night was cool. The light 
was dim, and the weird scene and the character of the 
meeting throughout made such an indelible impression 
upon the writer's child-mind that he sees it as clearly as 
if it were enacted but yesterday. The preacher was 
Adolphus Harnden, born and reared in the State of 



53 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

Maine, who afterward served long and usefully as one 
of the most faithful itinerants of Allegheny Conference. 
He was then a young man, tall, of large, bony frame, 
had a bushy head of black hair, large mouth and nose, 
and a stentorian voice. He traveled the circuit on foot, 
and, as it embraced the whole of Clearfield, and portions 
of Cambria, Indiana, and Jefferson counties (all a vast 
wilderness), it required six weeks for him to make the 
round, during which time he would average not less 
than five sermons a week. Because of his won- 
derful enthusiasm and his traveling on foot, the people 
named him 'The Pilgrim,' some of them having read 
'Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress/ 

"On the evening referred to above he sung, prayed, 
and preached with great enthusiasm. After the sermon 
he prayed again, then sung again, called on some one 
else to pray, sung again, exhorted, got happy, and began 
to shout. "While shouting, swinging his long arms, and 
clapping his hands, he leaped back and forth in the 
little aisle between the benches leading to the door, ex- 
claiming at the top of his voice, 'I hope to shout glory 
when the world's on fire,' and just then he touched his 
bushy head to the flame of the lamp above described and 
set his hair on fire. It sizzled and spurted a little while, 
and Harnden kept on shouting all the time, ''I hope to 
shout glory when the world's on fire.' The flame in his 
hair soon died out, nor was he burned, but for some time 
there was a strong odor of burnt hair pervading the 
cabin. In due time the meeting closed, the mountain- 
eers returned to their homes, guided through the wilder- 
ness by their pine torches, wonderfully impressed by the 



Moral and Spiritual Environment 



words and manner of 'the new preacher.' He in due 
time ascended the ladder to the loft, and was soon in the 
embrace of a sound sleep in the spare bed, which 
mother's hand had prepared for such visitors. 

"The faithful, self-sacrificing labors of the pioneer 
United Brethren and Methodist preachers in those 
regions had much to do with shaping the morals of the 
early settlers and determining the destiny of them and 
their children. With scarcely any pay in the shape of 
money, clad in coarse homespun, and subsisting on the 
homely fare of the mountaineers, they traveled from 
place to place, entered the cabins, and carried into them 
their pious convictions, their devotion, and their relig- 
ious enthusiasm. 

"In accomplishing this important work no one of 
them was more devoted and efficient than Adolphus 
Harnden. His piety was unquestionable, and his en- 
thusiasm knew no bounds. Strong, young, healthy, 
vigorous, and bold as a lion, he could go anywhere. His 
custom was to rise before or about the peep of day, re- 
tire to a secluded place in the wilderness for devotion, 
get happy, and shout till he would make the forest 
around resound with his stentorian voice. On one oc- 
casion, having lodged over night with a settler in what 
was known as 'Morgan's Land,' and some six or eight 
inches of snow having fallen during the night, after 
breakfast he started for his next appointment; but he 
had not gone far into the forest until he retired three 
or four rods from the roadside for prayer. As usual 
he had not prayed long until he became happy and 
shouted, and rolled around in the snow at a wonderful 



55 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

rate. While thus exercising, two men came riding by on 
horseback, and hearing the noise went to him and spoke, 
bnt all to no purpose ; he continued his shouting. They 
then rode on hastily to the house from which his tracks 
had come, called to the people, and in an excited manner 
told them they should go out into the timber immedi- 
ately and see to the man who had lodged with them 
over night, that he was out there rolling in the snow, 
crazy as a loon, and would surely freeze to death. The 
man with whom he had lodged, knowing something of 
his habit of shouting, calmly replied with a smile, 
'There is no occasion for alarm; he is enjoying his ac- 
customed morning shout.' 99 

The account-books of Philips & Co., in the possession 
of John D. Gill, Sr., contain many entries of the pur- 
chase of whisky and tobacco by those who came to 
trade, but the writer found no charge against Henry 
Kephart, Jr., for either of these articles. In addition 
to these silent lessons of personal example in abstinence 
from intoxicants as a beverage, these children had the 
advantage of precept, private and public. The stren- 
uous preaching of Adolphus Harnden against the use of 
ardent spirits found a stanch, practical supporter in 
Henry Kephart, Jr. When Ezekiel was three years old 
his father built a new barn. When ready to raise, he 
determined it should be erected without whisky. 

The neighbors had learned something of his peculiar 
notion regarding temperance, and when he came around 
to invite them to the "barn-raising," they naturally in- 
quired, "Are you going to have whisky?" When an- 
swered in the negative they said, "Well, of course we'll 



56 



Moral and Spiritual Environment 



come, but you'll never get your barn up without 
whisky/' The day came, however, the barn went up 
without any accident or any fight, and was done by a 
little after noonday. The question arose: "What shall 
we do? This day belongs to Henry Kephart." They 
decided to make clapboards, and when evening 
came they had almost enough to cover the barn. The 
well-laden table and the success of the day sent all away 
sober and in good cheer. 

The influences which led Henry Kephart, Jr., to dis- 
card the use of whisky in public functions, and so to 
brave public sentiment, were both economic and moral. 
At a log-rolling some time previous, to which he had 
invited a number of neighbors with their teams, he fur- 
nished whisky. He noted that they had several fights, 
and that the cost of provisions was large. The day 
after the "bee" he hired his neighbor, J acob Baughman, 
and discovered that with the aid of this one man with- 
out whisky, he could accomplish more than the crowd 
would do with whisky. He decided it was more eco- 
nomical to hire one man to help him, as he would be 
under obligations to help each man a day, who had 
helped him at the rolling, in addition to furnishing 
them food and drink. Besides, his wife would have less 
work, and his family could be free from the debasing 
immoralities of drunken men. Hence he decided that 
others might do as they would, but he would discard the 
use of intoxicants. This assertion of independent think- 
ing and courage of conviction became prominent in the 
character of their sons. Every one who knew the Bishop 
will recognize these traits. 



57 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

As the parents sought to decide every question from 
the higher religious standpoint, it is possible that the 
temperance teaching of the eccentric Rev. Adolphus 
Harnden had a potent influence, as the following ac- 
count from "Pioneer Life" will indicate : 

"But with all his eccentricities and enthusiasm, 
Harnden did a great deal of good. His life was upright 
and exemplary, and his preaching so full of Bible that 
the word was in demonstration of the spirit and power. 
When the writer was in his fifth year his father built a 
new barn and raised it without whisky. A big meeting 
was appointed to be held in that barn in the autumn of 
that year. In due time Harnden was on hand, and with 
him the presiding elder, Harmanous Ow. The elder pro- 
posed that, according to the custom of the mountains, 
they dispense with preaching on Sunday evening and 
have communion and feet-washing exercises instead. 
To this Harnden objected. He said: 'We ought to 
have preaching on Sunday evening and invite mourn- 
ers. This barn was raised without whisky, and the 
Lord is going to do something wonderful for us if we do 
our duty/ The elder said, 'Well, will you preach?' 
'Yes, I will,' promptly replied Harnden. Then they ar- 
ranged to have the communion and feet-washing exer- 
cises Sabbath afternoon, and in the evening Harnden 
preached one of his storming sermons. The result was 
more than a dozen seekers came forward, and before the 
meeting was over all were converted and a class of six- 
teen was organized. 'I knew it ! I knew it !' was Ham- 
den's triumphant declaration. 'This barn was raised 
without whisky, and the Lord would not overlook it.' 



58 



Moral and Spiritual Environment 



"His opposition to the use of intoxicating liquors 
was very intense, and it being the custom then for al- 
most every settler to keep whisky in his cabin and to 
'tipple,' and use it freely at their barn-raisings and log- 
rollings, and in the harvest field, Harnden waged a re- 
lentless warfare against it in every shape. He saw its 
bad effects — that it was a disturber of the peace and a 
developer of appetites and dissipated habits that would 
soon work great sorrow and destitution to the pioneers 
and their children. 

"Many years after the time above referred to he trav- 
eled Clearfield Circuit again. He then rode a valuable 
horse, which at one time in a little town was taken vio- 
lently ill with colic. Some of the horsemen gathered 
round and urged that he procure some whisky and mix 
a good quantity of black pepper in it and pour it into 
the horse, assuring him that it would speedily effect a 
cure. Harnden promptly replied, 'When I and my horse 
cannot live without whisky, we are going to die/ He 
then procured some hot water, mixed pepper with it, 
and poured it into the horse, and soon he was well. 
'There/ said he, 'if I had given him the whisky you 
would all have declared that it was the whisky that 
cured him/ All can easily imagine how glad such an 
enthusiast was to hold a meeting in 'the first barn 
raised in the county without whisky/ 99 



59 



"What sculpture is to the block of marble, education is to the 
human soul." — Addison. 

"Of all the blessings which it has pleased Providence to allow us 
to cultivate, there is not one which breathes a purer fragrance, or 
bears a heavenlier aspect than education. It is a companion which 
no misfortune can depress, no crime destroy, no enemy alienate, no 
despotism enslave ; at home a friend, abroad an introduction ; in 
solitude a solace, in society an ornament ; it chastens vice ; it 
guides virtue ; it gives at once a grace and government to genius. 
Without it what is man? A splendid slave, a reasoning savage, 
vacillating between the dignity of an intelligence derived from 
God and the degradations of passions participated with brutes, and 
in the accident of their alternate ascendancy, shuddering at the ter- 
rors of an hereafter, or hugging the horrid hope of annihilation." — 
Phillips. 



60 



CHAPTER IV. 



EARLY EDUCATION. 

In" the previous chapter the desire was prominent to 
adequately portray the environment into which our sub- 
ject was born and passed his early life. He himself 
never lost his love for the old homestead where he was 
born. The writer well remembers how, in 1901, on a 
visit to these childhood scenes, the Bishop drove past 
the "new house" to the site of the old homestead, a 
fourth of a mile further on. This site is now marked 
only by a stone pile, the spring, and several old apple 
trees — "the sweet tree" and "the sour tree," which min- 
istered to his boyish appetite. He pointed out the 
stump of the tree where "father shot the bear," and the 
location of the "bear-pit," where "father caught a bear, 
a panther, deer," etc. 

The purpose of the present chapter is to give some 
account of his early school life. Allusion has already 
been made to the meager school privileges of these early 
pioneers. Mrs. Kephart taught her children to read 
before they entered school, and always strove to have 
them in school whenever one was conducted within 
reach. When Ezekiel was four years old, his mother's 
brother conducted a school within about two miles of 
Mr. Kephart's cabin. As this school is a type of the 
educational privileges of the time, illustrating both 



61 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

standard and method, the reader will be pleased to have 
the description in "Pioneer Life/' as the eminent au- 
thor remembers it as his first school experience: 

"Later on, by the time several of her children were of 
school age, that same brother who had accompanied her 
to Esquire Benton's school, opened a school within two 
miles of father's cabin, and to him the writer's parents 
paid four dollars for two months' tuition for him and a 
sister who was four years his senior. To this school 
they waded through deep snows night and morning, the 
text-books being Webster's spelling-book and the New 
Testament. But as a result of mother's diligence in 
her efforts to teach her children to read, sister was 
quite an apt reader for those times before she went to 
school, and the writer, then in his sixth year, was ad- 
vanced from the alphabet to the "a-b-abs" the after- 
noon of his first day's schooling. Ah, how proudly he 
ran and broke the news to his mother on reaching home 
that evening, and what an inspiration to his childish 
soul was the gentle pit-a-pat of mother's hand upon his 
head, the approving smile, and the warm, loving 
words, 'That's a good boy,' as they fell from mother's 
lips. Think you the force of those expressions of com- 
mendation has lost its influence to this day?' 

"That school was a small affair, but it was a seed — a 
prophecy — a forerunner of something better, because 
it was the best step in a right direction that the pioneers 
could make at that time. It was far from being a col- 
lege, but it might prepare the way for one. The ac- 
commodations were of the most rude, meager, homely 
character, but properly utilized would prepare the way, 



62 



Early Education 



as they did, for the neat, comfortable, country school- 
house of to-day, with all its modern equipments. 

"The schoolhouse was a little, round-log, old cabin 
residence that had been vacated for better quarters. In 
it was the ever-present, indispensable corner chimney, 
which served as a warming place. A few days before 
the school was to open, several of the pioneers met there 
and rechincked and redaubed or mortared the cracks in 
the wall, so as to make the room comfortable. The seats 
were benches made of slabs and planks, by boring holes 
and driving pins into them for legs. The writing-desks 
were made by boring holes into the logs of the walls, 
driving pins into the holes, and then placing long, rough 
boards on those pins. The pupils, when writing, sat 
with their faces to the wall. 

"The exercises were about as follows: "Soon after 
school was called — it was called at 9 a. m. and 1 p. M. — 
the pupils who were trying to learn their letters and 
those who were beginning to spell words of two and 
three letters would be called to the teacher, who had his 
seat in one corner of the room, one at a time. Those 
learning the alphabet would say their letters over from 
V to e zf and then backwards from V to 'a/ after 
which the teacher would point to several different letters 
at random, asking the pupil to name each, and telling 
him the names if he did not remember them. After a drill 
of this kind, lasting about five minutes, the pupil was 
remanded to his seat with the admonition, 'Now study 
your lesson/ and another would be drilled in the same 
way. Not until a pupil could name every letter at 
sight was he advanced beyond the alphabet. 



63 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

"As they advanced so they could spell in words of two 
syllables, they were arranged in classes of two or more, 
and recited by standing up in a row, books in hand, and 
spelling words alternately or in succession. For some 
time after a pupil was thus promoted, the great trouble 
was for him to keep his place — that is, to follow the 
words as they were in turn spelled by his fellows, so as 
to know when it came his turn to spell, which was his 
word. Many a box on the ear and many a rap on the 
hand did stupid pupils receive for failing in this. 

"The more advanced pupils were given additional 
lessons in reading, writing, and arithmetic. In reading 
they would stand up in a row, sometimes reaching two- 
thirds round the room, and read, each in turn, a verse 
from the New Testament, the teacher pronouncing the 
difficult words. Never did the class read in concert. 
Such a thing was unknown, and would have been con- 
sidered a dangerous innovation. 

"Just before dismissing for noon and for evening, all 
the more advanced pupils would stand and spell off the 
book. They were divided into two classes, the more ad- 
vanced being named the 'big class/ and the less advanced 
the 'little class/ This exercise was a kind of spelling 
contest. To prepare for it every one was required to 
study the spelling lesson, and when one missed a word 
it was passed to the next. If that one spelled it cor- 
rectly, he took his place above the one who had missed 
the word. The inspiring feature of the spelling-match 
was the desire among all to have the honor of standing 
at the head of the class — an honor usually enjoyed by 
the best spellers." 



64 



Early Education 



The "fun" at school was of the same hardy quality as 
the life of the community. The demand for justice and 
"fair play/ 7 however, was always prominent. The 
crowning fun of the year was "barring out the school- 
master," a custom now grown obsolete. An event of 
this kind, in which both the embryonic editor and 
bishop had a prominent part, is so well disclosed by Dr. 
I. L. Kephart, in an article published some twenty 
years since, that it finds a fitting place here : 

"The following is a true story of school-days thirty- 
six years ago in the wilds of Clearfield County, Penn- 
sylvania, as given by one who was there: I can never 
forget that Wednesday. It was only six days till Christ- 
mas, and it was generally conceded that that was none 
too much time to grant 'the master' in which to send 
to Philipsburg — the distance was five miles — to procure 
the candies, nuts, and apples with which to treat the 
school, so all agreed to f bar him out' on that day. 

"The schoolhouse — a one-story, round-log cabin, six- 
teen feet square — stood on a hill in one corner of 
'Granddaddy KephartV field. It was originally erected 
for a dwelling-house for 'Uncle Dave/ It was lighted 
with one six-light and two twelve-light windows. In one 
corner was a remnant of an old corner chimney. In 
the center stood a large ten-plate stove used for warm- 
ing the apartment. The roof was of clapboards, held in 
place by weight poles. The writing-desks were con- 
structed by boring five quarter-inch holes into the logs 
around three sides of the room, driving long pins into 
these, and laying rough boards on these pins — the pins 
so inclined as to give the desks a pitch toward the wall 



5 



65 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

of thirty degrees. The seats were benches, formed by 
splitting into halves poles eight inches in diameter, 
smoothing the flat side with a chopping ax, boring four 
holes — two near each end — into them, and driving pins 
into them for legs. The books were Cobb's Spelling- 
Book, the New Testament, the English Eeader, and 
Pike's Arithmetic. Geography and English grammar 
were not thought of. 

"The teacher was Henry Platner, from Blair County, 
a tall, slender, wiry man, about twenty-five years old. 
The school was composed of between forty and fifty 
scholars, of both sexes, and ranged in age between seven 
and twenty-two years, — little, chubby urchins, half- 
grown youngsters, and big, hardy, backwoods young 
men, delicate little girls, rugged, rosy-cheeked misses, 
and stalwart, buxom, young women. These came from 
all directions, a distance of from one-half to three miles, 
and huddled together in that dingy, low-ceiled little 
room, dressed out in their homespun, some of the smaller 
ones sitting with their feet dangling in the air, they 
make a picture well worthy the pen of the most gifted 
artist. Uncombed heads and combed; clean faces and 
dirty ; neat new homespun, threadbare homespun, patched 
homespun, and ragged homespun; red heads, white 
heads, black heads, and woolly heads — for there were a 
few negroes in the school — these constituted the picture 
that greeted the eye of him who on a December day, 
thirty-six years ago, chanced to take a peep into the old 
'Kephart schoolhouse' that stood over on the hill, just 
one and a half miles northwest of the present town of 
Osceola. 



66 



Early Education 



"But I was going to tell of 'barring out the master/ To 
accomplish this, advantage must be taken of his going 
to the foot of the hill, fifty rods distant, to 'Granddaddy 
Kephart's,' for dinner. It was easy to see from the pe- 
culiar expression on his countenance and the odd twin- 
kle of his eyes on leaving the schoolhouse that day, that 
from the significant winks and nods which were inter- 
changed among the larger boys during the forenoon, he 
had correctly 'discerned the times.' But he was a jolly 
fellow, somewhat in advance, as a teacher, of those of 
his profession, and, anxious to enjoy the fun, was only 
too ready to give the boys a chance. So, on dismissing 
the school for dinner he took up his hat, and, with a sig- 
nificant twinkle in the corner of his left eye, said, 'Boys, 
let there be no misbehavior during my absence,' and 
started for the foot of the hill. 

"No sooner was he gone than all hands hastily par- 
took of their dinners, — we all carried our dinners to 
school, — and then, instead of going out to play ball, 
'ring around the rosy, see-saw, etc., as was our custom, 
all remained within, fastened the door, and made every 
preparation for 'keeping him out.' One end of a bench 
was placed against the feet of the stove, and the other 
end was brought one-third of the way down from the 
top of the door and made to rest firmly against it. On 
this three small lads, Bill Shaw, Ess Kephart, and J ohn 
Eeece, were stationed to hold it firm. There was no 
snow on the ground, but the day was cold and damp; 
nevertheless it was deemed expedient to carefully ex- 
tinguish the fire in the stove, lest the assaulting party, 
either by throwing brimstone down the pipe, or by plac- 



67 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

ing a board on the top of it, should 'smoke us out/ 
John Green — a stout, courageous colored boy of sixteen 
— and I were stationed aloft, armed with a heavy piece 
of slab five feet in length, to prevent his coming in 
through the roof. All things being in readiness, we 
somewhat nervously awaited results — some of the small 
children as well as some of the less courageous among 
the larger ones, already frightened almost out of their 
senses. Green and I, from above, watched through the 
chinking for 'the master's' approach. At length, about 
ten minutes before one o'clock — he had left at twelve — 
we saw his head gradually appearing over the lull. 
Promptly the alarm was given to those below, and all 
hands flew to their posts. Abe Goss (John's Abe), Hen 
Kephart (Dave's Hen), Dan Crowell, and Hen Baugh- 
man had command. They had already prepared, in 
writing, conditions of surrender. They were to the ef- 
fect that by signing the paper the master, on the con- 
dition that the door was then opened, bound himself in 
honor to treat the school on Christmas Day to six 
pounds of candy, four pounds of English walnuts, and 
to two bushels of apples, if they could be obtained; if 
not, their worth in loaf-sugar. 

"On arriving at the door and finding it fastened, the 
teacher, affecting to be greatly enraged at the audacity 
of his school, demanded in stentorian tones that it be 
immediately opened; but the answer from within was 
cool and defiant. 'Not much, old hoss,' 'We've got you 
this time,' 'Why don't you come in?' etc., were the 
taunting expressions that his savage utterances elicited 
from within. Finally he was induced to come around 



68 



Early Education 



to the south window, when the conditions of surrender 
were presented to him. He read them, indignantly pro- 
nounced them outrageous, and tore the paper into rib- 
bons. He then declared that he was coming in if he had 
to pull the house down, and the taunting reply was that 
he would not get in, even if he did pull the house down. 
This bit of parleying ended, the master started for his 
boarding-place, and soon returned with an ax on his 
shoulder. We knew that this meant business, and the 
excitement from within was rapidly rising to a white 
heat. Some were crying, some were alternately plead- 
ing and demanding that the door be opened, while the 
more courageous were loudly asserting their determina- 
tion to keep him out at all hazards, and denouncing the 
cowardly ones in the most unmeasured tones. At this 
juncture the teacher vigorously assaulted the door, 
pounding it with the ax until he split it in several 
places. This availing him nothing, he climbed to the 
roof and commenced tearing away the clapboards; but 
my brave colored boy and I were equal to the occasion, 
for no sooner did we get a peep at him than we sent the 
end of the slab through the roof with such force that, 
striking him in the breast, we sent him clear over the 
eaves to the ground. This caused a shout of triumph 
to ascend from below which was almost deafening. 
True, he might have been killed by the fall, but that was 
a secondary consideration with us. Our first thought 
was to keep him out, and that must be done regardless 
of consequences. Although he was but slightly injured 
by the blow and the fall, they had the effect of some- 
what cooling his ardor, so that he did not attempt the 
roof again. 



I/ife of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

"His next point of attack was the south window. 
With the ax he tore off the cleats which held the sash in 
its place, and then lifted it out wholesale; but no 
sooner was it removed than Abe Goss and Hen Kephart 
were both in the window, and as they were both large, 
full-grown young men, the chances were decidedly 
against the master. A little parley now ensued, when 
it was agreed that neither party was to strike or in- 
jure the other, but by all fair means at his command 
the master was to get in if he could, and the school 
were to keep him out if they could. This agreement en- 
tered into, the master locked shoulders with Abe Goss 
in a vain attempt to push his way through the window 
into the house. For as much as ten minutes did the 
pushing match continue, with the result decidedly 
against the master, for others from within would quick- 
ly loosen his hands whenever he grasped the window- 
casing to help himself in. Finally, completely outdone, 
this attempt was given up, and after some more parley- 
ing the master bid us good-by, saying he would give us 
no further trouble that day. 

"The window was then replaced and a fire was started 
in the stove, — some of the smaller children by this time 
being almost perished, — the door was opened, we went 
out and played ball for some time, and then started for 
home, not, however, without having taken the precau- 
tion to leave four stout boys — Mace Goss, John Eeece, 
John Baughman, and Dan Kephart — to remain in the 
schoolhouse over night 'to hold the fort.' The remnants 
of our dinner were given them for supper, and after 
charging them to keep a sharp lookout and never all 



70 



Early Education 



sleep at once, we left, promising to bring them some 
breakfast in the morning. 

That night some four inches of snow fell, but as 
early as 8 :30 A. m. the scholars began to arrive, and 
found the boys left as guard in possession of the house, 
although they astonished us all with graphic accounts 
of how they were surprised about four o'clock in the 
morning by the master's making an almost successful at- 
tempt to get in. Being quite in the dark, — having 
neither candle, lamp, nor pine torch, — they could only 
learn of the different points of attack by the noise he 
made, and several times he came very near effecting an 
entrance, — once through the roof, — but being repulsed 
at all points, and sometimes quite roughly handled, he 
finally retired to his boarding-place, leaving the boys 
quite masters of the situation, and as much elated over 
their victory as Napoleon I. over his successful passage 
of the Alps. 

By nine o'clock the full school was present, and the 
door effectually barred. About this time the master put 
in an appearance, but on seeing the force present and 
the door fastened, he only parleyed a little while and 
then left, assuring us that he would make no further 
attempt to get in. The master having left, it was de- 
cided to keep school. Accordingly Abe Goss, Hen Kep- 
hart, Betsey Crowell, and Barbara Kephart were chosen 
teachers, and school was called, and a boisterous, mixed- 
up school it was. Dick Goss was playing ball up the 
old corner chimney ; Bud Goss was shooting at the girls 
with a goose-quill pop-gun, for which Susan Baughman 
rapped him over the head with her slate; and Jim Cos- 



71 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 



grove was throwing paper balls at Ellen Greene. How- 
ever, all things passed cleverly until nearly 11 o'clock. 
About this time two lads of eight summers had a little 
squabble over which should have the honor of sitting 
up near the top of the door on the bench with which it 
was propped. Ess Kephart, being the larger of the two, 
secured the seat, and Bill Shaw, the disappointed aspir- 
ant, sullenly took his seat near where the other end of 
the bench rested against the feet of the stove. Slyly 
watching his opportunity, he caught one of the up- 
turned legs of the bench, gave a sudden jerk, turned the 
bench and tipped Ess off. He came to the floor with a 
heavy thump, his head striking one of the ' jamb-stones' 
of the old corner chimney, and raising a lump the size 
of a hulled walnut. He first set up a howl of agony, 
but on seeing Shaw laugh he at once comprehended the 
cause of his calamity, and set upon his malignant tor- 
mentor like an enraged pugilist, and dealt him such a 
shower of kicks and blows as caused the assailed to roar 
for help. At this his older brother, Hen, one of the 
teachers, seized the enraged Ess by the arm, gave him a 
shaking, and commanded order. This seemed only to 
add fuel to his wrath, for he flew with both hands into 
Hen's bushy head of hair, and commenced such a vigor- 
ous series of pulls and jerks as literally made the fur 
fly. Hen, determined not to be outdone, and being 
fully six feet in height and left handed, bent the pug- 
nacious Ess over his right knee and administered such 
a vigorous spanking as made him roar like a young 
lion. This had the desired effect, and order was re- 
stored. 



72 



Early Education 



"At noon some of the boys went out and played ball, 
while others and the girls remained indoors and played 
'button/ 'ring around the rosy/ and 'go choose you east, 
go choose you west, go choose the one that you love 
best/ 

After an unusually long nooning, school was called, 
one lesson all around was given, the school stood up and 
spelled down, and was dismissed, all going home except 
the guard of four left to hold the fort. This guard re- 
mained until about nine o'clock, and feeling sure the 
master would not put in an appearance that night, they 
left the schoolhouse and went to Uncle John Gross's — a 
distance of one and a half miles — remained there during 
the night, and returned at four o'clock in the morning, 
Imagine their surprise when, on returning, they found 
the door of the house gone and the house open. They 
at once piled the doorway full of benches and fence- 
rails, and on coming to school all were compelled to 
enter the house by creeping on all fours under the lower- 
most bench in the door. After the whole school had as- 
sembled several parties were sent out in search of the 
door. Soon Dan Crowell and John Baughman were 
seen coming across the fields with the door on their 
shoulders, and the school received them with a shout of 
triumph. It then turned out that Dick Hughes and 
George Kephart, two young married men, desiring to 
add to the fun and excitement, had gone, about mid- 
night, and carried away the door. 

"School kept that day as the day previous, with con- 
siderable fun and uproar, and the day being cloudy, 
and there being neither clock nor watch in the house, 

73 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

between two and three o'clock John Eeece and myself 
were sent down to 'Gkranddaddy Kephart's' to see what 
time it was. Grandmother took advantage of our pres- 
ence to give us a sharp lecture on the folly of our keeping 
the teacher out and wasting our time, but grandfather — 
jolly old Pennsylvania Swiss-Dutchman that he was — 
encouraged us by laughing heartily and saying, 'Py 
fate, poys, ton't you let him in/ 

"This evening the guard was increased to six in num- 
ber, and strict orders were given not to leave the house 
for a minute. The next day was Saturday, but we 
had school, for then a school week consisted of six days. 
Very few of the smaller scholars were present, and not 
more than half of the larger ones. The teacher put in 
appearance, but only to inquire how we were getting 
along, and to wish us well, not pretending to force his 
way in. By noon the affair began to be monotonous. 
A council was called, and inasmuch as we had fully 
demonstrated our ability to keep the master out, we 
concluded we could now afford to let him in, and in so 
doing would not sacrifice honor or principle. So the 
house was set in order, the door was unbarred, and all 
left for home. 

"On the following Monday the scholars all returned 
to school, found the teacher in his place and in a jolly 
good humor, and everything proceeded as if there had 
been no 'barring out.' However, there was no Christ- 
mas treat, but the teacher made amends on the day 
when his term of school closed by treating us to ten 
pounds of loaf-sugar !" 



74 



Early Education 



In 1846 a new schoolhouse was built, about a mile 
nearer to the home of Henry Kephart, Jr., who hewed 
the logs and did most of the carpenter work. The men 
of the district joined together, and by contributing ma- 
terial and labor, erected the new house without outlay 
of money. If a man's work reflects his character, we 
may know Henry Kephart, Jr., by the neatness in the 
hewing of those logs. The writer on a recent visit ex- 
amined them with care by passing the hand over, and 
they seemed as smooth as boards sawed and planed. 
The accompanying illustration of this schoolhouse will 
present it to the reader's eye. At present it is used for 
a dwelling. A window now occupies the location of the 
original door, and an entrance has been built on to the 
end. Here E. B. Kephart attended school, and here he 
taught a four months' term of school. Here also his 
brother, Dr. I. L. Kephart, was a pupil, was baptized, 
and preached his first sermon. 

We have already learned that the three E's constituted 
the curriculum, and that even geography was unknown. 
Because of lack of qualifications the E's were poorly 
taught. When these boys were about fourteen years old, 
they discovered that their teacher could do no more for 
them, became discouraged, and dropped out of school, 
and did not enter again until they were twenty-one and 
twenty-three years of age, respectively. 

The deficiency of the teachers must have sorely 
grieved Henry Kephart and his wife. There lived a 
Scotchman in the district by the name of John Shaw, 
himself comparatively learned, and always a stanch ad- 
vocate of better schools, and a faithful supporter of 

75 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

them. When the time grew near for the school to open. 
Mother Kephart would gather her children about her 
and say: "Xow you must hurry and finish you work; 
school is about to begin. Mr. Shaw will have his children 
there from the first day to the last, and you don't want 
to be dummer than Shaw's children/' 

"We shall have occasion later in this narrative to recur 
to the influence of Mr. Shaw in the community, and es- 
pecially on the lives of I. L. and E. B. Kephart. 

A little incident showing the disposition of the boy 
occurred about the time he was entering his teens. 
Though at times, because of his strong conviction and 
love of fair play, he seemed somewhat willful, he was 
obedient to his parents. They had taught their children 
it was wrong to fight, and forbade it on penalty of pun- 
ishment. A fellow school-boy, thinking "Zeek" dare not 
fight, had for some time sought to "bully" him, and had 
imposed on him in many ways. On the way home one 
evening, as this boy was having his accustomed sport, 
"Zeek" turned on him and gave him a complete thrash- 
ing. When they arrived at home the children reported 
that "Zeek" had been fighting. When, in self defense 
he said : "Yes, I stood his taunts and insults just as 
long as I could and I thrashed him; now you can whip 
me if you want to, but if you do, I'll go right back to- 
morrow and give that boy ten times as much as I did 
to-day." It is needless to say that "Zeek's" parents did 
not whip him. His instinctive love of righteousness and 
respect for justice included the tenet, even then, that 
there is a point beyond which endurance ceases to be a 
virtue. 

76 



"There is nothing so laborious as not to labor. Blessed is he 
who devotes his life to great and noble ends, and who forms his 
well-considered plans with deliberate wisdom." — St. Augustine. 

"Idleness is the burial of a living man." — Jeremy Taylor. 

"Work ! which beads the brow, and tans the flesh 
Of lusty manhood, casting out its devils ! 
By whose weird art, transmuting poor men's evils, 
Their bed seems down, their one dish ever fresh. 
Ah, me ! For lack of it what ills in leash 
Hold us. Its want the pale mechanic levels 
To workhouse depths, while Master Spendthrift revels. 
For want of work, the fiends him soon immesh !" 

— Madox Brown. 



77 



CHAPTEE V. 



LOGGING AND RAFTING. 

These early pioneers were woodmen indeed. Every 
son of the forest learned to wield the ax and the cross- 
cut saw. How pitiable to them seems the city youth 
who cannot tell one tree from another ! Certain trees 
seemed to have a kind of personality. 

"The stately gum-tree! How it towers aloft! 
How those branches spread out where 'neath them we 
played. 

It stands near the cot, not far from the spring, 
That rustic old cabin in which I was born." 

The Kephart boys were to the forest born. They 
made a virtue of necessity, and took to its life as a duck 
to water. Brought up to its varied labors, they hardly 
knew they were enduring hardships. Surely ignorance 
sometimes is bliss. But every trial has its compensa- 
tion. Every expenditure of strength is a seed-sowing, 
an investment which brings its abundant harvest, its in- 
crease of capital. Combine this strenuous woodsman's 
life with temperate habits and lofty spiritual ideals, and 
you have the making of these men of renown and man- 
ifold service. 

The forest stood in the way of pioneer progress, and 
yet was the means of that progress. It prevented the 
raising of flocks, crops, and herds, and yet it was the 
chief source of wealth. All interests there combined to 

78 



Logging and Rafting 



make a lumberman of every youth. In season, including 
the winter and early spring, lumbering was the chief in- 
dustry. The Kephart boys received thorough training 
in woodcraft. They felled the trees, hewed timber, con- 
structed rafts and conveyed them down the river, run 
sawmills, made shingles, and conducted brief business 
enterprises of their own. They had passed through a 
thorough apprenticeship before they came to their ma- 
jority. Dr. I. L. tells us how he, when fourteen years 
of age, was entrusted with a team to wagon across the 
mountain to Tyrone and Huntingdon — quite an under- 
taking for a boy of that age, when we consider the wild 
condition of the country, a distance of twelve miles 
through the unbroken forest, without seeing a single 
house. He would bring a return load of groceries, dry- 
goods, etc. The Bishop, in 1901, pointed out with pride 
the stump of the tree he worked up into shingles when 
in his teens. 

When Isaiah was on the road with the horses, the 
work at home was done mostly with oxen, and hence 
Ezekiel became an expert in handling them. Abraham, 
one and a half years the junior of Ezekiel, became a 
horseman. Age and necessity determined employment 
and skill. 

Many of these things seem so far away that the reader 
will be grateful for a description given by one who ex- 
perienced them. The author of "Pioneer Life" has 
written of them with such racy freshness as to place 
posterity under obligation to him : 

"The mountaineers would till their poor, rough, 
mountain farms during the summer, and in early fall 

79 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

would hie away to the pine forests. Those whose homes 
were not conveniently near to the forests would erect 
cabins there, carry provisions to them, do their own 
cooking, and thus 'batch' it from fall till spring, some of 
them going home on Saturday night. Such would rise 
as early as 3 a. m. Monday, eat breakfast, load them- 
selves with provisions, and walk five to eight miles to 
their cabins in time to do a full day's chopping. Some 
may be anxious to know how those lumbermen could 
'keep house' — cook their meals, and at the same time do 
full work in the timber; but they did, and did it easily. 
Of course, the meals were not prepared after the most 
fastidious fashion, nor would they have tempted the ap- 
petite of an epicure, but from his own experience, the 
writer can assure his readers that the food was so well 
prepared as to be quite sufficiently tempting to the ap- 
petites of hungry woodchoppers. The variety was not 
great, nor did it need to be. The chief requisites were 
substantiality in quality and abundance in quantity. 

"The order was as follows: At 5 a. m., the one hon- 
ored with being the cook would rise, start a fire in the 
stove, and call the other three. While he fried meat, 
boiled potatoes, made coffee, and baked buckwheat cakes, 
the others would prepare some wood for the day or (if it 
were during hauling time) feed and harness the horses. 
Then all would sit down to the table, on which the 
dishes had been arranged the night before, and partake 
heartily of the morning meal. Having finished their 
repast by 6 A. M., each one would turn his plate upside 
down over his knife and fork, and thus it would be 
ready for his own special service at noon. The dishes 

80 



The stump of a tree in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, 
from the wood of which Bishop Kephart 
made shingles. 



Logging and Rafting 



were only washed once each day — in the evening — and 
table linen was not in use at all. Breakfast over, the 
cook would wash and clean a quart of white beans, place 
them in a good-sized dinner pot, add to them a piece of 
pork and some salt, fill the pot with water, place it on 
the stove, fill the stove with hard, green wood, and then 
away all hands would go to the chopping, the others 
meantime having been engaged in whetting the axes. 
At half past eleven o'clock the cook would quit 
work, return to the cabin, find the beans and 
pork cooked most deliciously, bake the buck- 
wheat cakes, and by twelve o'clock the others 
would arrive, and all would then sit down and 
most hugely enjoy their dinner. At 1 p. m. all would 
return to their work, and chop as long as they could see. 
Then they would return to the cabin, prepare and eat 
their supper, wash the dishes, set things in order in the 
cabin, chat, read, or play checkers for an hour or so, 
and then retire to their rude, rough beds and sleep the 
sleep made refreshing by hard, honest toil and a clear 
conscience, while the mountain breezes sighed and 
moaned through the tops of the pines and hemlocks that 
locked branches over their cabin. 

"Prior to 1862, when the first railroad was built into 
this region, all the lumber, save what was wagoned 
across the mountains, was conveyed to market in rafts 
and arks floated down Moshannon, Clearfield, and Chest 
creeks, and the west branch of the Susquehanna 
Eiver. Consequently lumbering, so-called, during the 
fall and winter seasons consisted in getting logs to the 
sawmills and sawing them into boards to be afterward 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

rafted, and in making square timber and spars, and 
hauling them to the streams above mentioned. 
In making square timber the trees were felled, 
and then scored and hewed into square, or 
nearly square sticks, of whatever size or length 
they would make, running all the way from twelve 
inches to thirty inches square at the middle of the 
logs, and from thirty to eighty feet long, while the spars 
were from three to five feet in diameter at the stump, 
and from seventy to one hundred and five feet in length. 

"Some of these logs were hauled from three to eight 
miles' distance to get them to water, but the roads over 
which they were hauled followed the ravines and small 
streams, so as to avoid any hauling up hill. However, 
in many instances they led down long, steep hills, the 
descent of which with a team, behind which was one of 
those tremendous logs, was extremely hazardous. 

"As a matter of course, the hauling was done dur- 
ing the winter, when there was snow on the ground. 
The necessary outfit for successful hauling consisted of 
four good horses (but much hauling was done with two- 
horse teams), well harnessed, a timber sled, a great log 
chain some twelve or fifteen feet in length, and a good 
rough-lock chain — that is, a short, heavy, strong chain 
to place around one of the sled runners as a lock when 
going down hills. 

"Roads would be cut and cleared through the logs, 
stumps, and brush, to where each stick of timber lay, 
the sled would be driven within six feet of the side of 
one end of the stick, a skid would be placed with one 
end under the log, and the other end on the sled, the 

82 



Logging and Rafting 



log chain with one end fastened to the sled and run 
down under the log and then up over it and across to 
two of the horses, and they hitched to it, and thus one 
end of the log or stick of timber would be slid or skidded 
up on the sled, chained fast, and then dragged to the 
river's bank. If the distance was not over three miles, 
three trips was considered a fair day's hauling. 

"Spars were far more difficult to haul than square 
timber, and not unfrequently some very large, choice 
sticks had to be drawn a good part of the distance by 
the slow process of block and tackle. So the hardy 
mountaineers toiled on through the long winter, and by 
the first to the middle of March they had their lumber 
to the water's edge, ready to raft. 

"The lumber prepared and placed on the banks of 
the creek or river, the next thing to do was to put it 
into rafts in the water and float it to market. This 
was called "rafting." Clearfield Creek and the Susque- 
hanna Eiver (west branch) were fair streams for raft- 
ing. Moshannon and Chest creeks, owing to their small- 
ness, crookedness, and the swiftness of the current, were 
illy adapted to this industry. 

"The rafting season lasted only a short time in the 
spring of the year, when the snow was melting in the 
mountains. Hence, in order to get the lumber to mar- 
ket, the rafting time was a most busy occasion. In fact, 
everybody was on the rush, everything had to be done in 
a hurry. 

"Sawed lumber was sometimes loaded on log rafts, 
and thus conveyed to market; but by far the greater 
portion was built into what were called board rafts, and 

83 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

thus floated to Harrisburg, Middletown, Marietta, and 
Columbia, Pa., and sold. The log rafts were built by 
rolling the hewed logs into the water, placing from fif- 
teen to twenty side by side, placing what was called a 
lash pole across each end of the logs (lash poles were 
young, tough oak, hickory, or iron-wood saplings that 
were from three to four inches in diameter), then bor- 
ing inch and a half or inch and a quarter holes on 
either side of the lash pole, and some five inches deep 
into the logs, placing the two ends of a bow, made of 
tough white oak, into the two holes, and driving hard- 
wood pins into the holes, so as to hold the pole and the 
logs solid together. A full raft of logs was from two 
hundred and twenty to two hundred and twenty-five 
feet long, and from twenty-four to twenty-eight feet 
wide. This was called a river raft, the size usually 
floated from Clearfield Town to the foot of Buttermilk 
Falls. At that place two of these rafts were placed 
side by side and constituted a float, and one pilot, with 
five hands, could take it from there to Marietta. From 
Marietta to Peach Bottom, or tide water, they would be 
taken single again, and it would require a pilot and ten 
good hands to manage the raft with any degree of 
safety, so swift was the current in places, and so rocky 
the channel. 

"From the upper waters of Clearfield Creek, and of 
the west branch of the river, the rafts were floated out 
in halves — that is, one hundred and ten feet long, and 
joined together in the river at Clearfield Town. How- 
ever, out of Clearfield Creek many full rafts were floated 
from as high up as Chase's Landing, or the mouth of 

84 



Logging and Rafting 



Pott's Run; but to manage one of these large rafts in 
that stream required a skillful pilot and nine good, 
stout men. 

"Rafting was not only a busy time, and the work very 
laborious, but it was for the young, hardy mountaineers 
a very exciting and highly enjoyable occasion. All 
through their toils and exposures, during the long, cold 
winter, they were ever cheered on with the prospect of 
a trip down the river in the spring. This trip, when 
made for the first time was as much of an event — aye, 
more — in the history of the life of a young man, as is a 
trip to Europe to-day; nor was any one considered a 
true lumberman — a hero — until he could tell some 
wonderful story about 'what I saw at Marietta last 
spring/ 

"To appreciate what such a trip implied, the reader 
must go back in his imagination to the condition of the 
country before the days of railroads. He must remem- 
ber, too, that after the young mountaineers had reached 
Marietta — the goal of their ambition — before they 
could sit down around the fireside in their mountain 
home and astonish father and mother and the smaller 
children with their wonderful description of the trip — 
of their hairbreadth escapes at 'Oliver's Bend/ 'The 
Stepping Stones,' 'Big Moshannon Falls/ 'Shamokin 
Dam/ and in 'Connewago Falls' — before he could tell 
of these, and of the fights, the frolics, and the fun he 
had seen in making the trip, he had to do from five to 
six days' solid, hard walking — that is, he had to 
walk from Marietta, in Lancaster County, Pa., to Clear- 
field County, a distance of from one hundred and fifty 

85 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

to one hundred and seventy-five miles. He could have 
taken the packet on the canal and ridden from Harris- 
burg to Waterstreet, in Huntingdon County, or he could 
have staged it, but that would have been too expensive, 
and as his employer allowed him ten dollars to take him 
home (that was a dollar a day for five days for his time, 
and a dollar a day for his expenses), he found it quite 
as profitable to walk home as to work on the raft while 
going down the river, the usual wages for a common 
hand for rafting being one dollar a day and board. 

"Not until the first freshet of the season had rid 
the streams of the heavy ice formed during the long 
winter was it safe, or possible even to place the lumber 
in the water; but as soon as this occurred every 
available hand was busy, and every rafting ground on 
the creek and river resounded with the noisy pounding, 
chopping, hurrahing, and laughing of the jolly rafts- 
men. 

"On each end of a raft was placed and pinned fast 
with large wooden pins, a mead-block/ on which was 
mounted an oar, with which the raft was guided in the 
stream. The oar consisted of a dry pine pole, some six 
to eight inches in diameter, and from thirty-five to 
fifty feet long, the smaller end of which was dressed 
down so that it could be grasped by the hand, and the 
larger end was mortised some four or five feet, and into 
this mortise, or jaws, was inserted the thick end of a 
blade sixteen feet long, and eighteen to twenty inches 
wide, two and one-eighth inches thick at the one end, and 
an inch and an eighth at the other end. This blade was 
firmly pinned fast in the jaws of the stem, and the oar 

86 



Logging and Rafting 



balanced on the head-block, and a two-inch pin placed 
down through it and the block, so as to permit the oar 
to play freely up and down, and from side to side, at 
the will of the man having charge of it. 

"A raft, when in float, was in charge of the pilot, a 
man who was supposed to be thoroughly acquainted 
with the crooks, turns, rocks, leads of water, and eddies 
of the stream, and to know how to run a raft. The pilot 
was responsible for the safety of the raft, and carried 
the front oar. His first mate was his steersman, and 
carried the rear, or hind oar, as it was called. It was his 
duty and the duty of the hands to obey all the orders of 
the pilot. Pilots were usually paid a certain sum per 
trip, according to agreement. 

"If a pilot was unfortunate or unskilled, and ran his 
raft upon rocks and broke it to pieces, it was said, tf He 
stoved his raft/ If he simply ran it onto a rock or 
sandbar, and it stopped without breaking, it was said, 
'He stuck his raft/ If he ran his raft so that it swung 
around and lodged sideways on the head of an island, 
or on the pier of a bridge, it was said, 'He saddle-bagged 
his raft' on the head of the island or the pier of the 
bridge. 

"In the spring of 1856 the writer, being a pilot, con- 
tracted with Mr. John M. Chase, a very enterprising, 
worthy, and successful lumberman of Clearfield County, 
to raft in and deliver at Marietta, in Lancaster County, 
Pa., two large timber rafts. The preceding winter was 
noted for its great severity, its length (it did not break 
up until the ninth of April), and the great quantity of 
snow that fell. The winter was spent by him and his 

87 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

brother (afterward Bishop), and several other young 
men of the neighborhood, in attending the public 
schools and studying 'the three E's/ with English gram- 
mar and geography added. 

"From his schoolmates he selected most of his crew, 
taking the brother above mentioned as his steersman. 
It was a memorable experience. The rafting ground 
was the first one below the mouth of Pott's Eun, on 
Clearfield Creek. There he and his crew of nine stout, 
hardy, jolly young men, on the morning of April 10, 
commenced to 'raft in.' 

"More than a week they worked late and early, roll- 
ing in the logs, boring holes, driving pins, hanging oars, 
ever urged on by the intense desire to get down the 
river, and the fear that the water would go down. Fin- 
ally they had three big rafts ready to go, each two hun- 
dred and twenty-five feet long, and twenty-six feet 
wide. With one of these they started in the morning, 
the creek being two feet too high for good running, and 
still rising. Oh, how they had to work. It seemed they 
could not keep the raft in the stream, so wild was the 
water! At Spruce Island, a few miles below where 
they started, the great raft took a sheer, could not be 
controlled, and struck on Myer's Eock, below the island ; 
but it did not break, so substantially was it put to- 
gether, and by swinging the hind end out onto the cur- 
rent it floated off the rock, and on they went. At Clear- 
field bridge it took another sheer, plowed into the bank, 
carried away a cartload of soil, and went on. A mile 
below this point, after a great struggle, in which an- 
other raft was knocked loose, the raft was landed in 

88 



z 

w 

a: 

n 

> 

Ed 
i— i 

<J 
Ed 



Logging and Rafting 



Ardery's dead water, the men completely tuckered out. 
Dinner was procured there, and at 3 p. m. the tired men 
started to foot it through the mud and slush ten miles 
back to Mr. Chasers home, where they arrived at six 
o'clock. 

"The next morning at the breakfast table the follow- 
ing dialogue ensued: 

"Mr. Chase: 'Isaiah, I wish you to take your 
crew, go to the mouth of Pott's Eun, and take that big 
spar raft out to Fulton's dead water to-day.' 

"Isaiah: f Oh, Mr. Chase, I have never run a spar 
raft, know nothing about it, and I am afraid to risk it. 
I almost killed my men yesterday with that big timber 
raft, and I do not wish to give them a second dose for 
fear I'll kill them altogether. I have heard old pilots 
say so much about spar rafts being so hard to run.' 

Mr. Chase : 'Oh, great Charley ! you need have no 
fears. If you could manage that big timber raft yes- 
terday, with the creek as high as it was, and on the rise, 
you will have no trouble with that big spar raft to-day. 
I'll risk you.' 

"Isaiah: 'All right, Mr. Chase, I'll do my best, and 
you will have to abide the consequences.' 

"With that the pilot and his jolly crew footed it a 
mile to where the raft lay, boarded it, and were soon 
floating down the rapid, rocky, crooked stream. It was 
a large raft, two platforms of ninety-five feet each in 
length, ten logs wide, and the largest spar four feet in 
diameter. To the surprise of pilot and crew they found 
no difficulty whatever in managing it, the dangerous 
places, such as Turner's Eock, Spruce Island, Myer's 

89 



Iiif e of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

Kock, the grass flat, and Cree's Sunny Bock, were all 
passed in safety, and by 2 :30 p. m. the raft was safely 
landed away down in the river at Fulton's dead water. 
The great river hill was climbed, and a good, hearty 
dinner eaten at Abraham Beam's popular raftsman's 
home. Then the crew set out to return to Mr. Chase's 
home, a distance of about twenty miles. On they 
tramped, up hill and down, through mud, over ice, 
gravel, sand, and stones, their pants' legs stuffed into 
the high legs of their heavy boots, and at about 10 p. M. 
they entered Mr. Chase's house, a wonderfully tired, but 
jolly, proud, triumphant set. They were heartily wel- 
comed, the tidings of the day's work being especially 
welcome news. A good supper was in readiness and 
eaten with a relish, and then they retired and slept 
without rocking, only to be aroused at five o'clock the 
next morning that they might repeat the trip. By the 
time it was fairly daylight the next morning the pilot 
and crew were at the rafting ground, where still lay 
two large timber rafts. One of them was boarded, the 
rope untied, and away they went. The water now being 
in an excellent stage for good running, the raft was 
managed with comparative ease. This, however, re- 
quired in some tight places the exertion of all the skill 
of the pilot, and all the strength of every one of his 
vigorous, able-bodied men. Often would they, in dip- 
ping the oar and pushing it across the raft, in order to 
move and direct it in the channel, lift the pilot clear off 
his feet, and carry him across the raft, he all the while 
suspended at arm's length from the end of the oar stem. 
Ah, it was a delight, hard as was the work, to handle 

90 



Logging and Rafting 



such rafts, aided by such a crew, in such a lively, dash- 
ing, crooked stream of water. There was an inspira- 
tion about it that thrilled the heart and caused the 
men to forget that they were working hard or were 
tired. 

"By 3 p. M. of that day this raft was also tied up at 
Fulton's dead water, and by about 10 p. m. the crew 
were again seated around Mrs. Chase's heavily-loaded 
table, ravenously devouring a good supper, interspersing 
the performance with puns and jokes relating to the 
incidents of the day. 

"It may be proper here to remark that while as a 
matter of fact many raftsmen were drunken and pro- 
fane, others were as pure-hearted, noble-minded, honest, 
upright men as could be found anywhere. While 
it was so true that it had passed into a proverb in Clear- 
field County that a trip down the river was all that was 
needed to determine whether or not the conversion a 
man had professed in the revival of the previous winter 
was genuine, nevertheless many a young man, and old 
one too, did pass that trying ordeal triumphantly. It 
may also be stated here that of the crew in question 
several were Christian young men, all the others were 
young men of good morals, and no profanity or drink- 
ing of intoxicants was practised by any one of them. 

"After a good night's rest and an early breakfast the 
pilot and his crew 'skipped out' to the creek and boarded 
the last raft for them to take down. That one delivered 
safely at Fulton's dead water, they would be ready to 
go on down the river. It was a large raft, two hundred 
and twenty-five feet long, twenty-six feet wide, and 

91 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

half oak. The men boarded this raft with light hearts. 
They had bid good Mrs. Chase a cordial good-by (she 
was one of God's noble women), taken with them their 
little traps, and were cheered with the expectation of 
seeing Marietta before returning to old Clearfield 
again. The rope was untied, and away they went with 
ease and safety. 

"But when they came in sight of the 'Salmon Hole/ 
they saw the eddy landed full of rafts, and a hundred 
or more men there, some of whom were throwing up 
their hats and shouting at the top of their voices, 'Tie 
up ! tie up ! tie up V 

"This left the pilot but one choice — to run in and 
land, which was effected without any difficulty. On in- 
quiring as to the trouble, he was informed that some 
unskillful pilot had, the afternoon before, missed his 
calculations and saddle-bagged his raft on the head of 
Spruce Island, just a mile below; that raft was a 
timber raft of only two platforms in length, the front 
platform had broken off and gone, but the hind plat- 
form lay across the head of the island, with at least ten 
feet of it projecting into the channel in such a way as 
to render it impossible for large rafts to get by. Short, 
or half rafts, were going by in safety, but it was con- 
sidered madness and folly for a pilot to attempt the 
feat with a full river raft. 

"Here then was a dilemma. Must this pilot and 
crew, whose hearts were set on going down the river 
during this freshet, have all their hopes blasted by the 
stupid blunder of an incompetent pilot ? The men mut- 
tered and growled — none of them swore audibly. What 

92 



Logging and Rafting 

some of them thought is not written. Their pilot took 
things coolly, but he was worried. He went to two or 
three of the older pilots in whose judgment he had con- 
fidence, and who were standing around, not knowing 
what to do, and received from their lips, as a result of 
their inspection of the situation, an accurate statement 
of the position of things at the head of the island. 

"Having spent some time in this way he returned to 
his own raft, where his own men were assembled, trying 
in various ways to give vent to their feelings of disap- 
pointment and chagrin. On stepping on board the raft 
his brother, the steersman (and now Bishop), ap- 
proached and said to him, 'Suppose you get on one of 
these small rafts that are going by, and ride down past 
Spruce Island and see how things look. Perhaps you 
will see that we can go by. You can jump off below at 
the grass flat and come back. It will not take long/ 

" 'No/ said the pilot, 'it is not worth while. I have 
talked with three different pilots who have been there 
and examined the situation themselves, and I know 
what it is as well as if I had seen it myself. But call 
the men here, I have a proposition to make.' The men 
came, and the pilot said, 'Boys, we are in a desperate 
box, but I believe there's barely a chance to get out; 
and if you will promise me on your honor to stick to 
me and help me gather the timber together and raft it 
again, provided we tear the raft all to pieces, I will try 
to go on.' 

"Every man was only too glad to give his pledge of 
honor, and after giving a few words of special instruc- 
tion to his steersman, and cautioning the men to give 

93 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

heed to no one and to nothing else, he told his other 
brother, Abraham, to go ashore and untie the rope. 

"No sooner had the raft begun to drop down through 
the eddy than a hundred men or more became excited 
and gave utterance to such interrogatories as, 'What are 
you going to do?' 'Where are you going?' 'Why, man, 
you're crazy !' 'You can never get through with that 
big raft !' 'You'll only form a jam so that even small 
rafts cannot get through !' 'Stop ! Stop !' 

To all these excited exclamations, declarations, and 
questions neither the pilot nor any of his men paid one 
bit of attention; and as they began to pull around the 
bend at the lower end of the eddy, and the raft began 
to enter Turner's Riffle, the excited men on the shore all 
stampeded down the beach to witness the result at 
Spruce Island. 

"Turner's Eiffle and Turner's Rock were safely 
passed, the turn at the Notched Rock was handsomely 
made, and in due time the big raft, sweeping at great 
speed, struck the projecting platform on the head of 
Spruce Island with a crash that reverberated through 
the hills like the roar of a cannon. The force was so 
great that it completely knocked the platform out of' 
the channel up on the head of the island, without dam- 
aging the big raft in the least, so substantially had it 
been put together. However, the concussion was such 
as to greatly slacken the speed of the raft, and cause it 
to sheer violently into the bend, so that the pilot saw 
in an instant that it would be impossible to clear Myer's 
Rock below. Quick as lightning he turned, yelled to 
his men to pull, and with all their powers they forced 

94 



Logging and Rafting 

the raft into the bend and crowded it against the drift- 
wood lodged upon the shore, where it plowed and forced 
its way along until it almost stopped, when they then 
turned, pulled out into the current, cleared Myer's 
Eock, and went on in safety. 

ff When the hundred or more astonished men on the 
shore saw that the hazardous venture was a success, 
they threw their hats into the air and made the welkin 
ring with cheer upon cheer. The big raft, managed by 
its pilot and plucky crew, had not only safely gone 
through itself, but it had completely removed the ob- 
struction, and the channel was open again for rafts, 
large as well as small. In the dusk of the evening the 
pilot and crew landed their raft safely in Miller's dam, 
above Clearfield bridge, where they received the most 
hearty congratulations of the owner, Mr. Chase, who 
was greatly rejoiced that his last large raft had passed 
Spruce Island in safety." 

When Ezekiel was fourteen years old he began raft- 
ing. In 1853 he and his brothers purchased the timber, 
ready made, for a small raft, hauled it to Clearfield 
Creek and conveyed it to market. That year the price was 
good, and they received ten cents a cubic foot at Lock 
Haven. This naturally elated the brothers, and dreams 
of amassing wealth lured them on. The next year they 
increased their business, taking a much larger quantity 
down the river, but they received only seven cents that 
year at Marietta, which gave a very small profit, and 
dissipated their dreams of millions and prepared the 
way for their intellectual awakening. 



95 



"I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and 
his train filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim : each 
one had six wings ; with twain he covered his face, and with twain 
he covered his feet, and with twain did he fly. And one cried unto 
another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts : the 
whole earth is full of his glory. And the foundations of the 
thresholds were moved at the voice of him that cried, and the 
house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me ! for I am 
undone ; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the 
midst of a people of unclean lips : for mine eyes have seen the 
King, the Lord of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphim unto me, 
having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs 
from off the altar : and he touched my mouth with it, and said, Lo, 
this hath touched thy lips ; and thine iniquity is taken away, and 
thy sin purged. And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom 
shall I send, and who will go for us ? Then I said, Here am I ; 
send me." — Isaiah 6 : 1-8. 



96 



REV. EZEKIEL B. KEPHART 



Reproduced from an ambrotype taken in 1859, 
while the Bishop icas traveling his first 
circuit, Troutville Mission, in 
Allegheny Conference. 



CHAPTER VI. 



SPIRITUAL AND INTELLECTUAL AWAKENING. 

When Ezekiel was seventeen years old he attended a 
camp-meeting in Bigler's Grove, where he made public 
confession of Christ as Lord and King. These assem- 
blies in God's first temples were events of note to the 
mountaineers. The preacher would begin very early in 
the year to work up the interest, ascertain how many 
would take tents, etc. It is thus described in "Pioneer 
Life": 

"In due time (the latter part of August or the first 
of September), the time and place were agreed upon by 
the quarterly conference. As the time approached 
father and mother would purchase two webs of muslin 
and have them sewed into one large sheet for a tent 
covering. A sufficient quantity of provisions to serve 
the wants of the family a week and feed twice that many 
strangers (all free), were provided, and on Friday 
morning of the camp-meeting week, by the time day- 
light had dawned all was loaded on the wagon, the house 
was locked up (the services of a kind neighbor having 
been secured to look after the stock and the fences), and 
away the whole family, provisions, horse-feed, and all, 
drove ten, fifteen, or twenty miles, up hill and down, 
and over tremendously rough roads, to the camp 
grounds. Once there, poles for the tent were cut, the 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

tent was pitched, beds were made of straw procured near 
by and bedding brought along, a camp-fire was arranged 
over which to cook, and there for five or six days the 
pioneers thus brought together worshiped God in the 
leafy grove. The weird scenes presented by those meet- 
ings among the tall pines in the night-time are still vis- 
ibly photographed on the writer's mind, and the sound 
of the preacher's voice warning sinners of impending 
judgment, and of the singing, praying, moaning of the 
mourners, and the shouting of the converts, still ring 
betimes in his ears. To the more cultured and refined 
of to-day, these meetings may seem wild, rough, fan- 
tastical, but that they were directed of God as the means 
by which to reach scores and scores of the mountaineers 
who would attend no other meeting, and secure their 
conversion, the sequel clearly demonstrated. The 
Christian people who united in these meetings only 
made the best use they could of the means at hand, and 
the Lord accepted and blessed their offering in the con- 
version of their children and their neighbors. 

"True, there was often much disorder. The roughs 
would sometimes attempt to break up the meetings, but 
the courageous preachers and the stanch, Christian 
mountaineers were always equal to the emergency." 

Although E. B. Kephart made public confession at 
the camp-meeting, he was not satisfied, in his own mind. 
He had not experienced the fullness of God in his own 
soul; but convinced that there was virtue in these 
things, he continued to think upon them. He was a 
seeker after God. He proved for himself the promises 
of Scripture: "Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye 

98 



Spiritual and Intellectual Awakening 



shall search for me with all your heart." "Those that 
seek me early shall find me." One day, when working 
with the oxen in the field (he remembered the exact 
spot), soon after his public confession, the Lord ap- 
peared to him, and he exclaimed aloud, "Glory, glory, 
glory!" All nature was changed, "Heaven came down 
his sonl to bless." At once he thought, "How easy it is 
to become a Christian !" Like the prophet Isaiah, this 
young man on the mountain side saw in his vision the 
character of Jehovah and his own call to service, and he 
there consecrated himself to that God and that service. 
Like Paul, he might have said before his departure from 
earth, "I have not been disobedient to the heavenly 
vision."' 

The character of this young man, born into the king- 
dom of God, and of his father, are reflected in the inci- 
dent of his baptism. On a visit with him to these scenes 
of his early life in 1904, he thus described the event : 

"I stepped on the old bridge that spans the Cold Run. 
I looked down into the bright stream where father bap- 
tized me. It was on this wise : On a cold winter 
day, when the snow was deep, father and I, alone, were 
returning home from the sawmill. When we came upon 
the bridge I said, 'Father, here is water, and I wish to 
be baptized.' He replied, 'All right/ and we went down 
into the water and he baptized me. It was heaven on 
earth ! In that same place my grandfather Goss had 
been baptized by my father also. I was present on that 
occasion, though only a little boy. The speckled 
trout are now, as formerly, in the beautiful, bright 
water, although not quite so numerous or so large." 

LOFC. " 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

It is still a wild, picturesque spot, rugged mountains 
and forest all around. In July, 1906, the writer, in com- 
pany with Mr. J. D. Gill, visited this sacred place, and 
plucked a few blooming Bhododendron branches over- 
hanging the place of his baptism, which were brought to 
his home and placed on his grave by loving hands. Lit- 
tle need has he of this, however, as on his brow now 
rests the victor's crown that fadeth not away. Four 
years passed in the routine of this mountain life, and 
the boys grew to manhood, Isaiah being twenty-three 
and Ezekiel twenty-one, and both seemed destined to 
this life of honest toil. Here we come to the strange 
working of God's Spirit. They felt the upward pull of 
God's purpose, but seemed powerless to respond. 

The pioneers library contained but few books. In- 
cluding a few borrowed from neighbors, the following 
books came into the hands of E. B. Kephart, and were 
read by him by aid of a pine-knot fire. The list includes 
"Pilgrim's Progress," "Fox's Book of Martyrs," Bax- 
ter's "Saints' Best," Fleetwood's "Life of Christ," Up- 
ham's "Life of Faith," Weem's "'Life of Washington," 
and "Life of Franklin," and "Bobinson Crusoe." 
Their father, however, opened the way of escape in the 
winter of '55-'56, by asking them if they did not desire 
to go to school. Two young men from Huntingdon 
County, dissatisfied with the wages paid teachers at 
home — eighteen dollars a month and board themselves 
— went to Altoona, Blair County, but could get no 
more there. They then went to Clearfield County, they 
thought to visit relatives and prospect. Were they not 
sent of God? Comparatively speaking, they had en- 

100 



Spiritual and Intellectual Awakening 

joyed excellent educational facilities, and their worth 
was recognized in the mountains. Two schools were of- 
fered them at twenty-five dollars a month and board. 
These young men were Mr. John D. Gill, who resides at 
Philipsburg, and Mr. William Hooper. Mr. Gill taught 
the school in the Abraham Goss district, now Osceola 
Mills, and his chum, Mr. Hooper, taught in the Kephart 
district. As the Kephart brothers were "over age," it 
was necessary to secure permission to attend school. Mr. 
John Shaw, the leading director, inquired diligently in- 
to their motives. If simply to have a good time with 
the girls, and make trouble for the teacher, they were 
not wanted. On the assurance that they were now 
men, realized their need of an education, and had the 
most serious intentions, he gave them permission to at- 
tend, provided they would chinck up the logs of the 
schoolhouse, help procure fuel, and keep order. 

This winter of 'oo-oQ was a pivotal point for these 
young men. They received a great intellectual awaken- 
ing. They had an excellent teacher, who not only taught 
the "three RV V more efficiently than they had ever been 
taught in that community, but introduced English 
grammar and geography, and also awakened a lively in- 
terest in English literature and in public speaking. Two 
small papers were published, E. B. being the editor of 
one, and I. L. of the other. I. L/s journal was chris- 
tened "The Yale College Gazette"; was this a prophecy? 

The two teachers, who had been chums in Cassville 
Academy, worked together, and these combined districts 
were stirred from center to circumference. The in- 
fluence of those two teachers on that community has 

101 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kepi i art 

reached many portions of the earth, and will go on mul- 
tiplying itself to eternity. At the Osceola school Wash- 
ington's birthday was observed, a thing unheard of in 
that section before. The Kephart school participated. 
An article written by Mr. J. D. Gill and published in 
the Philipsburg Gazette, says : "Two D.D/s, now prom- 
inent in the religious world, made their first bow to an 
audience at this celebration— Bishop E. B. Kephart and 
I. L. Kephart, editor of the Religious Telescope." 

These two schools combined in a grand closing exhi- 
bition in the Kephart district. As the capacity of the 
schoolhouse was insufficient to accommodate the crowd, 
the exercises were held in a half-finished new church 
erected just across the road, not yet dedicated. There 
were two sessions, forenoon and evening, continuing 
until midnight. A drum corps from Philipsburg fur- 
nished the music. After the exercises were over, I. L. 
took the musicians home in his "Yankee jumper," up- 
setting them in a snow-drift on the way. He did not 
arrive home until the "wee small" hours. In this enter- 
tainment the Kephart brothers took part, and found 
exhilaration of spirit and enlargement of vision. 

Mr. Gill thus sums up the product from the school 
taught by his friend, Mr. Hooper : 

The schoolhouse and rafting season past, we find the 
brothers diligently employed, I. L. as head sawyer in a 
mill, while E. B. had entered into a partnership with a 
cousin, Mr. Andy Kephart, and taken a contract for 
making shingles. But 

"There's a divinity that shapes our ends, 
Rough-hew them how we will." 



102 



Spiritual and Intellectual Awakening 



Having tasted the joys of the intellect and received a 
vision, however faint, of destiny, they could not rest 
content. Their neighbor, Mr. John Shaw, was used, 
also, to stir their dominant desire. As previously stated, 
he was a Scotch-Irishman, and a stanch advocate of edu- 
cation in both theory and practice. One Saturday night 
Isaiah was on his way home from the mill, and was 
passing Shaw's, when Mr. Shaw accosted him, and the 
following dialogue took place: "Isaiah, what are you 
doing now?" "I am sawyer for Mr. Sterrett." "What 
are you getting?" "Twenty-six dollars a month." 
"What is E. B. doing?" "He and Andy Kephart have 
a contract for making shingles." "What is he getting ?" 
"Oh, he is making more than I am." "Well, I have no 
doubt you can both make good wages as lumbermen 
without an education, but you ought both to go to 
school. If you will go to college there is something 
better for you both than the sawmill and making shin- 
gles." 

As Isaiah trod homeward he thought of the words of 
the kind neighbor. On Sunday morning the brothers 
sat on the bed and held a council on the college question. 
E. B. had received a letter from his friend, "Bill" 
Shaw, son of the kindly neighbor, who was attending 
Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, Pa., urging him to 
come there. As these earnest young hearts talked the 
matter over that morning, they knew not how much de- 
pended on a right decision, so momentous to themselves, 
to the Church, and to the kingdom of God. Finally, E. 
B. said, "Well, I am going to school." I. L. said, "If 
you go, I am going too." Notwithstanding the embar- 



103 



life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

rassment they knew they must meet in procuring suf- 
ficient money, they decided to go, and immediately 
began preparation. In August, '56, they entered Dickin- 
son Seminary. Their route and transportation will be of 
interest to the present generation. They borrowed 
Uncle Joe Goss's one-horse wagon to convey their ef- 
fects to Belief onte, there being no railroad from Philips- 
burg to accommodate them, and staging it would cost 
money. Their brother William, who gave his life for 
his country in the Civil War, accompanied them to re- 
turn the horse and wagon. From Bellefonte they took 
the stage to Lock Haven, where they boarded the canal- 
boat and were transported to Williamsport. Now a 
branch of the New York Central connects Philipsburg 
with Williamsport, and the distance can be covered in 
three hours. It took them thirty-six hours to do it 
then. 

At Dickinson they roomed in a four-story building, 
four boys having one room for study, and another for 
sleeping. The following incidents regarding the 
Bishop are related by his brother: "One of the room- 
mates, Mr. F , was rather an emotional, explosive 

character. In a heated argument he became excited and 
called E. B. a liar, and was surprised by a back-hand 

slap. F exclaimed, 'Because you are big you want 

to bully over me.' The answer was, 1 don't want to bully 
you, but I want to teach you some sense.' " 

A big grammar class was parsing from Milton's "Par- 
adise Lost." The sentence contained the phrase, "hol- 
low engines." It was E. B.'s turn to parse the word 
"hollow." He was a little absent-minded, and in his de- 



104 



Spiritual and Intellectual Awakening 

liberate manner, instead of saying, "Hollow is an 
adjective," he said, "Hollow is an engine," which pro- 
duced a roar of laughter from the class, and furnished 
amusement for a long time. 

The board seemed to be a little scant, when measured 
by the appetites of the young mountaineers, hence all 
were anxious to be promptly on time. One day a short, 
burly fellow began to shove and crowd through while 
the boys were waiting in the hall for the dining-room 
door to open. Just as the door opened he jostled E. B., 
who caught him by the seat of the pantaloons and 
hurled him headlong into the middle of the dining- 
room, while he remained out a moment to enjoy the 
ludicrous scene. This love of fun at the expense of a 
blusterer adhered to him through life. 

Mr. James F. Rushing, later a brigadier-general in 
the Union Army, at present (August, 1906), a lawyer 
of Trenton, N". J., was one of the teachers. He still re- 
members the Kephart boys, and in a letter to Dr. I. L. 
of recent date, he said: "I remember you both well, 
and am not surprised at your distinction in the Church." 
This testimonial from an eminent teacher is the best 
witness of the character of the work they did while in 
Dickinson. 

In November, 1856, they returned home from Dick- 
inson Seminary, and taught school that winter, the 
Bishop teaching the home school, where he had been a 
pupil the year before. During the spring freshets of 
1857 they rafted, and E. B., who had served under his 
brother as steersman, now also became a pilot. 



105 



"Ye halls, in whose seclusion and repose 
Phantoms of fame, like exhalations, rose, 

"What passing generations fill these halls, 
What passing voices echo from these walls? 

"How beautiful is youth ! how bright it gleams 
With its illusions, aspirations, dreams !" 

— Longfellow. 

"I cause from every creature 
His proper good to flow : 
As much as he is and doeth, 
So much shall he bestow. 

"So nigh is grandeur to our dust, 

So near is God to man, 
When Duty whispers low, Thou must, 
The youth replies, J can." 

— Emerson. 



106 



CHAPTEE VII. 



MAY, 185 7- JANUARY, 1860. 

Haying decided to enter the ministry, they went to 
Mount Pleasant College, located at Mount Pleasant, 
Pa. Among the associates at Mount Pleasant were 
Hon. E. C. Ebersole, of Toledo, Iowa, and Rev. Daniel 
Eberly, D.D., of Hanover, Pa. 

Of that early period Hon. E. C. Ebersole says : "It 
is my recollection that E. B. Kephart had some exper- 
ience as a pioneer speaker in debating schools before he 
came to Mount Pleasant. At all events, he seemed to 
have some practice in public speaking. For this reason 
he was nicknamed Boanerges, the son of thunder — a 
name by which he was known to his dearest friends for 
many years of his student life. 

"To one who was well acquainted with Bishop Kep- 
hart in that early day, it was evident that he had the 
very best moral and religious training, and just as evi- 
dent that his literary training had been very meager. 
He had acquired forms of expression peculiar to the 
surroundings in which he had grown up, which he 
afterwards knew as well as anybody to be ungrammati- 
cal, or inelegant, but he was never able wholly to get rid 
of them. He was conscious of this fact, and often re- 
gretted it; but in his very constitution he was a man, 
to whom the substance was everything and the form al- 

107 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

most nothing. He had a good appreciation of what was 
fine in literature, bnt in the expression of his own 
thoughts he seemed so intent on the substance that he 
forgot about the style. This was especially so in his 
public speaking." 

Dr. Eberly, referring to associations in Mount Pleas- 
ant, says : "Myself a student at the time, I also acted as 
tutor, and he recited in one of my classes, that of 
algebra, for a term, a fact to which he often pleasantly 
referred." 

During that term the interests of Mount Pleasant 
College were transferred to Otterbein University, in 
Ohio, and on Thursday evening, August 20, 1857, 
was held the last Annual Exhibition of Mount Pleas- 
ant College. Seventeen young men delivered addresses 
in German, Latin, Greek, and English, and the 
subject of E. B. Kephart's was, "Kesponsibility of 
American Citizens." Hon. E. C. Ebersole says: "In 
the summer of 1857 Mount Pleasant College was closed, 
and, with all of its assets, and some of its students, it 
was transferred to Otterbein University. As I now 
recollect, thirteen of the Mount Pleasant students went 
to Otterbein in the fall of that year. Among them were 
the two Kepharts, Daniel Eberly, afterwards president 
of Otterbein University, S. B. Allen, afterwards pres- 
ident of Westfield College, and the writer hereof." 

In Otterbein University the same traits of character 
were manifest. He was known as a diligent, hard- 
working student, not brilliant, but thorough. His own 
thought, to which he gave expression, was always re- 
spected because of its originality, its sanity, and his 



108 



May, 1857 — January, 1860 



own manifest conviction. He never became an omniv- 
orous reader, but was always a man of comparatively 
few books. Those with which he was acquainted he 
knew thoroughly. He read, marked, and reread, and 
so made the matter his own that he could use it on any 
occasion. He had a peculiar memory, and said that 
what he read seemed to become much fresher with the 
lapse of time. He had many paragraphs of the Bible, 
some entire chapters which he loved to repeat. This 
mental quality and habit insured his growth while life 
endured. 

It was at some time in the first student period in 
Otterbein that he accompanied Eev. D. Eberly to an 
appointment, and preached his first regular sermon. 
The Watchword of February 6, 1906, contains the fol- 
lowing account : 

bishop kephaet's fiest seemon. 

One's first sermon usually leaves a much deeper impres- 
sion on the speaker than it does upon the audience. Ten 
years ago Bishop Kephart, at the request of the editor, told 
the Watchword readers about the first sermon he preached. 
It was preached in 1857 at an old schoolhouse at the "Four 
Corners," about four miles south of Westerville, Ohio. He 
was a student at Otterbein University at that time. The quar- 
terly conference of Clearfield Circuit, Allegheny Conference, 
had granted him quarterly conference license without his 
knowledge, and sent him the document. Daniel Eberly, 
afterwards Prof. D. Eberly, D.D., then also a student, 
learned of this action, and as he had an appointment to 
preach at "Four Corners," he prevailed upon young Kephart 
to go with him and do the preaching. 

"The Sabbath morning was beautiful and bright," says 
the Bishop, "I shall ever remember it. I was about to 
make a start in what had been the dream of my child-life, 
and what had been the vow of my soul in its struggles 



109 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

after truth and God. As we neared the 'Corners,' Dan, or 
rather, 'Old Scroggs,' as we called him, for we all had our 
nicknames, said to me: 'Now some of the old students and 
others will likely be here (I think he had worked up the 
case), but don't mind that. They think I am going to 
preach; you just go right up into the pulpit and commence. 
I will take a seat on one of the benches below, and if you 
get into the "brush" I will halloo "Amen," and keep up the 
fuss until you get out and started again.' Dr. Eberly's way 
of putting things was a little quaint while in college, but 
he meant all that he said on this occasion. 

"With a faltering step I went into the pulpit. The 
thoughts and the vows made to God in my early life in my 
mountain home stood by me, and the covenant which 
Heaven sealed with these words, 'I will deliver thee,' when 
he laid his hand upon my heart and dried my tears, 
strengthened me on this occasion." 

The text chosen was, "For the son of man is come to 
seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19 : 10.) 
From that day to the time of writing this article, ten 
years ago, he never attempted to use that same text for 
a sermon. 

Closing his article, he said : 

"I have now been preaching and teaching for thirty- 
seven years, and as iEneas said, 'If I had a hundred 
tongues, and a hundred mouths, and a voice of iron,' I 
would devote them all to preaching and teaching Jesus and 
the resurrection." 

Eeferring to this incident in his "Personal Keminis- 
cences," Dr. Eberly says : "I invited him to accom- 
pany me to an afternoon country appointment, and 
while traveling on foot got his consent to take my place, 
and preach his first sermon, and I can vouch for the 
truth that it was good/' 

His first funeral sermon was preached over the re- 
mains of one of colored blood. The following incident 



110 



May, 1857 — January, 1860 



probably throws some light on his sentiments of help- 
fulness toward this down-trodden race. 

An article in Pennsylvania Grit, signed by J. B. Rum- 
berger, gives an account of the old burial-ground for 
colored people near the Kephart home, and how it came 
to be there : 

Ninety-six years ago several residents of the village of 
Philipsburg found, near where the Pennsylvania railroad 
bridge spans Moshannon Creek, a strange negro, probably 
thirty years of age, hiding in the heavy timber which at that 
time covered the whole surrounding country. He was in a 
starved and almost helpless condition. Food and clothing 
were given him by the kindly disposed white people, and 
when he was assured no harm was intended to him he gave 
an account of himself. His name, he said, was Samuel 
Green, and that he was a slave, and ran away from a plan- 
tation in northern Virginia. He had traveled the entire 
distance on foot, tramping at night to avoid being seen, 
and sleeping and hiding during the day. He begged pit- 
eously for his freedom, being in deadly fear that his new 
found friends meant to detain him and inform his Southern 
master of his whereabouts; but the big-hearted Pennsyl- 
vania mountaineers, themselves as free and unshackled as 
the air they breathed, had no such intentions. They at once 
became his stanch friends, offering him a home in the 
settlement. This, however, he could not be induced to ac- 
cept, the fear of discovery being too strong within him. 
Willing hands helped him to erect a small cabin near where 
he had been found. Here he lived in solitude, undergoing 
all the hardships of backwoods life. The panther's night 
cry disturbed his slumbers, and prowling beasts of prey 
were a constant menace to his rudely stored stock of food 
provided by the friendly whites; and night and day the 
fear of the hunted was upon him. 

After a stay of about a year, Green abandoned his hut and 
located further up the creek, near where Dunbar station is 
now located. Here he built another cabin. Living in primi- 
tive freedom, the fear of captivity wore away. He became 
acquainted in the neighborhood, and shortly met and mar- 
Ill 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

ried a free woman of his own race, Mary McNaul. They 
went to housekeeping in the Dunbar cabin, and lived hap- 
pily in their home in the wilderness for many years. Eleven 
children were born to them, nine sons and two daughters. 
The daughters died young, and were buried near where 
they were born, their graves being the first in this lonely 
graveyard. The old slave and his wife were in time laid at 
rest there. The nine sons grew to manhood. 

Of the nine sons Abraham appeared to be the most prom- 
inent and popular. He married a white woman, Eve Herd- 
man. . . . The first funeral sermon preached by Bishop 
Kephart, of the United Brethren Church, was over the body 
of Abraham Green. 

In answer to an inquiry regarding this incident, Dr. 
I. L. Kephart says: "I knew old Sam Green quite well, 
and all his family. His wife's name, also, was Eve, not 
Mary, as given in the sketch. She came to our house 
often to help mother clean house, wash wool, and 
scutch flax. We children loved her; she was so kind. 
We called her 'Aunty Eve Green/ This was when we 
yet lived in the little old cabin, down where the stone 
pile now is. I well remember one time after ' Aunty 
Eve' had been at our house and had started home, E. B. 
(then a small tot), said to mother: 'Ma, what makes 
Aunt Eve look so blue?' (She was a large, fat, mu- 
latto, rather dark.) The next time she came to our 
cabin mother told her of E. B.'s question, and she 
laughed most heartily. 

"I often saw the negro burying-ground referred to in 
the sketch, and I knew the Abraham Green mentioned 
quite well. . . . But I was not in Clearfield or about 
the old home when he died, and do not know anything 
about his burial — never heard until now that E. B. 
preached his funeral, but no doubt he did." 

112 



The spot in Cold Spring, a stream of water in Decatur Town- 
ship, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, where 
Bishop Kephart was baptized. 



May, 1857 — January, 1860 



The presence of these colored people of upright char- 
acter in the neighborhood must in some measure ac- 
count for the absence of prejudice against, and the life- 
long friendship of all the Kephart children for these 
unfortunate sons of Ham. 

Let us return to Otterbein. In 1858 he discovered 
that the money laid by from teaching school, rafting, 
etc., was exhausted, and he would be compelled to leave 
school. Because of some financial reverses I. L. had re- 
turned home in November, '57. A company that had 
bought a piece of land from the Kepharts had failed, 
and the land had to be taken back. I. L/s share from 
this sale was $1,000, and the brothers hoped by means 
of this amount to complete their college course, E. B. to 
return to I. L. whatever sum he might owe. After I. L. 
arrived home he borrowed $50 and sent it to E. B., to 
enable him to remain in school until spring. In the 
early spring of ? 58 he also went home and rafted during 
the freshet for the Albert Brothers, Woodland, Pa., 
while I. L. rafted for Mr. John M. Chase. On one oc- 
casion I. L. fell into the water and would have drowned 
had not his cousin, Mr. Washington Kephart, rescued 
him. E. B. earned his $50 and paid it back. 

In the month of May, E. B. and his brother Abraham 
went to Missouri to prospect. If they could locate ad- 
vantageously, and were pleased, the whole family in- 
tended to sell out and remove to that State. However, 
the young men were not pleased, but it was necessary for 
them to earn money to return home. Abraham secured 
work on a farm, while E. B. taught a subscription 
school in a German settlement in the northeastern part 



8 



113 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

of the State. E. B. sometimes related a little experience 
which occurred at his boarding place. He boarded 
with a German family, frugal, cleanly, industrious peo- 
ple. But "accidents will happen in the best of fami- 
lies." During a meal the teacher noticed an ingredient 
in the pie which was very unusual, and he concluded his 
meal before the pie was passed, went into the yard, 
and walked back and forth by the cabin window to 
await developments, surmising that a boy's appetite 
would not be easily daunted when it came to pie. Soon 
a small boy made the discovery, caught the mouse by the 
tail, and held it up, exclaiming: "Kook-a-mool-too, a 
moose, a moose !" The mother cuffed him, scolded him 
in Dutch, and he threw the mouse out the window and 
proceeded with the repast as if nothing had happened. 
In the early fall the boys returned from Missouri. E. 
B. secured and taught the Center school, and I. L. 
traveled as assistant pastor to Eev. Abraham Crowell. 

In January, '59, both attended Allegheny Confer- 
ence, and were received as members. Both were assigned 
to work, I. L. to Mahoning Circuit, with thirteen ap- 
pointments, and E. B. to Trout ville mission, with the 
understanding that he be allowed to complete his con- 
tract with the Center school. His charge was partly in 
Clearfield and partly in Jefferson County, and the ap- 
pointments were variously distributed in the school- 
houses and private homes in the vicinity of Punxsutaw- 
ney, Troutville schoolhouse in Clearfield County being 
one of them, and Bell's schoolhouse, three or four 
miles beyond Punxsutawney, in Jefferson County, being 
another of them. Here he traveled a very large mission 



114 



May, 1857 — January, 1860 



circuit on a very small salary, enduring the hardships 
of a pioneer preacher. At this early period a Lutheran 
church offered him a salary of $800, but he declined, 
and chose to continue in the church of his parents. The 
quarterly conference of Clearfield had voted him license 
when he was in Otterbein, without his knowledge, and 
he felt that God had especially called him to work in the 
United Brethren Church. His life principle agreed 
with the sentiment of Mountf ord : "Let God do with me 
what he will, and whatever it be, it will be either heaven 
itself or some beginning of it." 

A letter from this mission circuit to his brother 
"Abe," whose grave is mentioned in one of his letters of 
reminiscence, is dated Troutville, Pa., November 21, 
1859. A selection from this epistle reveals the thought 
and character of this young man : "I am sorry to hear 
that you will not accompany me to Oregon; this was 
my only hope, and now it is cut off. Bless the Lord, 
there is one who will accompany me, that is the one 
'that sticketh closer than a brother' ; he has said, 'I will 
be with thee.' 

"Abe, it is strange, indeed, that you have purchased a 
farm. I was in hopes that you would throw your in- 
fluence in the ministry. Abe, your talents are too bril- 
liant to lie dormant. Consider these things. 

"The Lord is blessing my labors abundantly. I held 
a protracted meeting a short time ago; twenty-three 
united with the Church. For myself, I know I am grow- 
ing in grace. Pray that God may keep me faithful." 

The reference to "Oregon" may need a word of ex- 
planation at this time. He was under appointment to 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 



go to Oregon as a missionary about one year after this 
letter was written. His one great purpose in life is here 
very manifest. To be right with God, and be instru- 
mental in bringing others into the same relation, was 
the passion of his own heart, while he desired to have 
his brother enjoy the great privilege of labor and sacri- 
fice for the Lord. 



116 



"Wilt thou love her still, when the sunny curls 
That o'er her bosom flow, 
Are laced with the silvery threads of age 

And her step falls sad and low? 
Wilt thou lore her still, when the summer smiles 
On her lips no longer live?" 
"Through good and ill 
I will love her still." 
"Thou wilt love her still? then our darling child 
In marriage to thee we give." 

"Wilt thou love her still, when her changeful eyes 
Have grown dim with sorrow's rain — 
When the bosom that beats against thine own 

Throbs slow with the weight of pain? 
When her silvery laugh rings out no more. 
And vanished her youthful charms?" 
"I will love her still 
With right good will." 
"Thou wilt love her still? then our darling take 
Unto thy sheltering arms." 

"Remember, no grief has she ever known, 
Her spirit is light and free ; 
None other with falterless step has pressed 

Its innermost shades but thee : 
Wilt thou love her, then, when the joys of youth 
With her blushing bloom depart?" 
"Through good and ill, 
I will love her still." 
"Thou wilt love her still ? then our loved one take 
To the joy of thy noble heart." 

"Remember, for thee she smiling leaves 
The friends of her earlier days, 
No longer to meet their approving looks, 

Or their fond, unfeigned praise ; 
Forgive her, then, if the tears fall fast, 
And promise to love her well." 
"Through good and ill 
I will love her still." 
"Thou wilt love her still? then our darling take 
In the home of thy heart to dwell." 

"When her father is dead, and the emerald sod 

Lies green on her mother's breast ; 
When her brother's voice is no longer heard, 

And her sister's is hushed to rest, 
Oh, love her, then, for to thee she looks — 

Her star on life's troubled sea ; 
With her marriage vow on her youthful lip, 

Then we give our child to thee." 



117 



CHAPTER VIII. 



JOHNSTOWN", MARRIAGE, AND MISSIONS. 

"A spirit, yet a woman, too ! 
***** 

A countenance in which did meet 
Sweet records, promises as sweet." 

— Wadsworth. 

The year 1860 was a memorable one in the life of the 
young mountain preacher. In January the conference 
removed him from his country mission, and assigned 
him to the pastorate of a city church, upon which he 
entered with zeal and hope. At that time the Johns- 
town congregation worshiped in the old church, on Main 
Street. Mr. John Thomas, so well known throughout 
the denomination to-day because of his munificent gifts 
to our churches and educational institutions, had recent- 
ly come to town, hired himself to a plasterer, and 
united with this congregation. There were also the 
Wagoners, the Pedens, the Singers, Mr. Isaac Jones, 
and others well known in the city and beyond, as earnest 
workers in the kingdom. The friendships then formed 
continued throughout life. 

By chance, — at least two hearts would have main- 
tained that Providence so directed, — he secured board- 
ing in the home of Mr. Jacob Trefts, who had a single 
sister, and there began another romance of serious life. 
The fun-loving girl remonstrated with her brother for 
"taking a preacher to board," as the young people loved 
to come to his home for a good time, and she feared 



118 



Johnstown, Marriage, and Missions 

that would now be at an end. At first she found the 
young mountaineer somewhat amusing. She was of 
German extraction, and had been brought up in the 
Lutheran Church. But Cupid was diligent, and soon 
brought such harmony that the two hearts were made 
to beat as one, and continued in sweet accord through- 
out a long and eventful career. 

On Sunday evening, November 4, 1860, Rev. E. B. 
Kephart was married to Miss Susan J. Trefts, by Rev. 
George Wagoner, an influential member of Allegheny 
Conference, and a member of the Johnstown church. 
The young pastor filled his morning appointment, and 
went direct from his marriage altar to preach in the 
evening service. 

Miss Treft's father and mother were both born in 
Germany, her mother coming to this country when five 
years of age, and receiving an English education. Her 
father, Adam Trefts, was a native of Wittenberg, and 
was educated for service at court, having been qualified 
and chosen a member of the Queen's Bodyguard. He 
would sometimes describe their brilliant uniforms, 
trimmed with gold, caparisoned horses, and court eti- 
quette, for the entertainment of his children and 
friends. This gay, royal service seemed to the liberty- 
loving youth but slavery, hence he escaped to "the land 
of the free." 

Were every "twain become one flesh" as completely 
married as was this couple, divorce would be unknown 
and impossible. This husband was a true lover till the 
last. He knew that "a prudent wife is from the Lord." 
She fulfilled for him the laureate's ideal of a "princess." 



119 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

"For woman is not undeveloped man, 
But diverse: could we make her as the man, 
Sweet love were slain: his dearest bond is this, 
Not like to like, but like in difference. 
Yet in the long years liker must they grow; 
The man be more of woman, she of man; 
He gain in sweetness and in moral height, 
Nor lose the wrestling thews that throw the world; 
She mental breadth, nor fail in childward care, 
Nor lose the childlike in the larger mind; 
Till at the last she set herself to man, 
Like perfect music unto noble words; 
And so these twain, upon the skirts of time, 
Sit side by side, full-summed in all their powers, 
Dispensing harvest, sowing the To-be, 
Self-reverent each and reverencing each, 
Distinct in individualities, 
But like each other, ev'n as those who love. 
Then comes the statelier Eden back to men: 
Then reign the world's great bridals, chaste and calm: 
Then springs the crowning race of humankind, 
May these things be." 

Through all their wedded life they trusted each other 
implicitly. The differences in their lives — and they 
often differed before they talked a matter over — were 
but as dissonance in the musician's masterpiece. In his 
home he was always great because of his unconstrained 
simplicity, and his unselfish devotion to his loved ones. 
On the other hand, his wife always sought to make 
home the most pleasant place on earth for him. After 
being fed upon the richest viands — "the fat of the land," 
— sitting for weeks at tables laden with highly-seasoned 
dishes, he would return to his home, relax, and ask for 
such dishes as beans, sauerkraut, buckwheat cakes, and 
sausage, the "namely fare" of his youth. His messages 
to his wife when absent from home were always 'love 



120 



Johnstown, Marriage, and Missions 



letters." He referred to her as his "guardian angel," 
and recognized that he owed very much to her for his 
success in life. Together they sacrificed and toiled until 
honor came, and still they offered all upon the altar of 
their Church and their God. 

Before his marriage he had been appointed by the 
United Brethren Board of Missions, as a missionary to 
Washington Territory. In 1860 no great railroads 
bound together our great oceans. The nearest way to 
Washington Territory was by ship around South Amer- 
ica, thus crossing the equator twice. 

About two weeks after his marriage, in company 
with his young wife, he went to take leave of his rel- 
atives. They went to Tyrone by the Pennsylvania Rail- 
road, and thence by stage to Philipsburg. Two Sab- 
baths were spent in Clearfield County, on both of which 
he preached. As his father had removed from Clear- 
field to Mercer County, Pa., they procured a horse and 
sleigh and drove over one hundred miles — an ideal 
wedding tour — to visit father and mother. How the 
hearts of these parents must have rejoiced as they saw 
their children becoming useful to the Church and to 
the world. In his "Personal Recollections," Hon. E. C. 
Ebersole says : "I never knew the parents of these men, 
but in the natural world every effect must have an ade- 
quate cause; and when we know that the strong, rug- 
ged, and ponderous Bishop, the fine-grained, literary, 
and even poetic editor, and the tireless, aggressive, able, 
eloquent, and great-hearted president of Leander Clark 
College are the offspring of the same parents, we must 
be sure that there was good, strong blood back of them." 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

Having taken leave of these honored parents, they 
drove back to Clearfield County, and went thence by 
stage to Tyrone, and by railroad to Harrisburg, expect- 
ing to sail from New York January 1, 1861. The un- 
settled condition of the country, however, with respect 
to slavery and secession, produced a money panic, and 
the currency sent by the Board in Dayton, Ohio, was 
very greatly depreciated. From more recent informa- 
tion the Board had concluded that the season was not 
propitious for sailing, hence recalled the appointment 
of these consecrated missionaries. The spirit of this 
consecration, however, remained with him to the close 
of his life. But God had other plans for him. 



122 



"Still I am learning." — Michelangelo. 

"Life is strong, and still 
Bears onward to new tasks, 
And yet not so, but that there may survive 
Something to us ; sweet odors reach us yet, 
Brought sweetly from the fields long left behind." 

— Trench. 

"The teachers who in earlier days 
Led our bewildered feet through learning's maze ; 

"Oh, never from the memory of my heart, 
Your dear, paternal image shall depart. 

"How grateful am I for that patient care, 
All my life long my language shall declare." 

— Longfel'ow. 



123 



CHAPTER IX. 



JANUARY, 1861, TO JUNE, 1865. 

The Allegheny Conference session for 1861 was held 
in January, at Greensburg, Pa. To this he returned, 
was ordained by Bishop Glossbrenner, and was appointed 
to the First Church, Altoona, where he remained two 
years as pastor. They were fruitful years of revival 
and growth. One incident illustrating his confident, 
child-like trust in God is recalled by his wife. In those 
days the minister could not be sure of receiving his 
quarterage at a specified time, hence occasionally they 
found themselves without a cent. One day he had an 
important letter to send. The postage had to be paid 
in cash at the post-office, but he did not have a cent. He 
took the letter, however, and started to the office on 
faith, and on the way he met one of his parishoners 
who handed him a ten-dollar gold piece. Showing this 
to his companion on his return, he quoted Ps. 37 : 25 : 
"I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not 
seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." 
Had it not been for his sublime trust in Cod, and con- 
sequent freedom from worry, he could never have accom- 
plished the labors he performed. 

At one time, when driving from a country visit, he 
met one of his members who had subscribed to his sal- 
ary, but thought he could not meet his obligations be- 

124 



January, 1861, to June, 1865 

cause of some reverses. Stopping, he said: "Brother 
Kephart, I lost a fine calf yesterday, and I shall not be 
able now to pay yon the six dollars I subscribed/' In 
his deliberate manner the pastor answered: "Very well, 
brother, since you can't afford to lose the calf, I will 
have to lose it," and drove on. The brother sat a short 
time in a dazed condition looking after the pastor. 
Later the six dollars came. 

A wedding experience of this period is pleasantly re- 
called. One of his bachelor members, financially quite 
well-to-do, concluded to become a benedict. He brought 
his heart's idol to the parsonage. The knot was duly 
executed, and the couple tarried for a general social 
visit, then departed without presenting or even suggest- 
ing a fee. The pastor and wife were greatly perplexed, 
as the people were intelligent, and highly respected. 
Some months afterwards the brother drove up to the 
parsonage with quite a load of provisions, including 
flour, meat, potatoes, etc., and presented the pastor a 
nice gift in cash, but without any mention of the wed- 
ding. No doubt most ministers of some years' experi- 
ence in the ministry could give marrying incidents 
which did not result so happily as this financially. This 
man doubtless appreciated his wife, and had his own 
way of expressing his gratitude. 

In January, '63, he was assigned to Greensburg and 
Mount Pleasant charge, which he served one year with 
his characteristic vigor and fidelity. Eegarding his 
preaching at this time, Hon. E. C. Ebersole, who met 
him at Mount Pleasant, says: "It is only the truth to 
say that as a preacher his calm, thoughtful, and phil- 



125 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

osophical method was not popular with the congrega- 
tion, which had been accustomed to the noisy, fiery, and 
impassioned preaching, which was then supposed to be 
the only orthodox style, but respect for the man was so 
great that the people did not stay away from his preach- 
ing." 

It will be remembered this period was during the war 
of the rebellion, and honest differences of opinion were 
found in many of our churches. The pastor of this 
charge found this to be true of his field. He dealt with 
this question as with every other which he met later. 
He claimed the right to think and speak for himself, 
and did this with such Christian candor as to win the 
respect and friendship of those who disagreed with 
him. 

One deeply inwrought principle of this mountain lad 
was to finish whatever he began. His college course was 
unfinished, and the unswerving purpose of both himself 
and his faithful wife was that it should be completed. 
During these years of pastoral service they were plan- 
ning and working toward this end. He engaged in syste- 
matic study of the classics. His wife was not acquainted 
with Latin and Greek, but he managed to use her as a 
teacher, in this way : He would carefully prepare a sec- 
tion as if for class. His wife would then use an inter- 
linear edition containing a literal translation. He would 
read, while she compared and corrected. In such ways he 
prepared for examination in these branches. 

By industry, frugality, and economy, they managed 
to save a little money, and decided to return to Otter- 
bein in January, 1864. Church officers, and some in- 



126 



January, 1861, to June, 1865 

fiuential brethren and some relatives, sought to dissuade 
him from his purpose, telling him that he did not need 
this, that he already occupied the best charges in the 
conferences, that he could continue his studies alone, 
that now he was married and owed a duty to his fam- 
ily, etc.; but turning from all these he remained true 
to that vision from above, given him when working 
with the oxen in the field on the mountain side, even as 
Elisha of old. 

In the beginning of January, 1864, he removed his 
family to Westerville, where he resided until he grad- 
uated, in June, 1865. 

Dr. H. A. Thompson, one of his teachers in college, 
says of him : f< While he was not brilliant, he was better 
than that, he was an honest, able, plodding student, on 
whom you could always depend for a perfect lesson." 

Before commencement at Otterbein, in 1865, he had 
received his appointment to the presidency of Collegiate 
Institute, a United Brethren institution located in 
Leoni, Michigan. Convinced that the Church in this 
State was not able to furnish sufficient support, in 
either money or students, to give the school a hopeful 
prospect, he remained but one year. Of this institution 
Dr. Berger has said : "After an earnest struggle against 
the inevitable, it was discontinued." 

Returning to Allegheny Conference, he was assigned 
to a circuit consisting of Rochester and Industry, below 
Pittsburg, where he remained to the close of the year. 
In this period the first great sorrow came to this home. 
Two little sons had come to them, Waldo when in the 
Altoona pastorate, and Elwood Irving, when residing in 



127 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

Leoni, Michigan. When he removed from Michigan 
Mrs. Kephart, with her little sons, went to Johnstown to 
visit her parents. While there little Elwood was stricken 
down with pneumonia. The husband was summoned 
from Ms field of labor. After a brief illness the little 
one fell asleep, and was laid to rest. Many a pilgrim- 
age to the little grave did these parents make, with their 
token of flowers, when residing in Johnstown. 

At the annual session of conference, in '67, he was 
appointed to Mount Pleasant Circuit, consisting of 
Mount Nebo, Walnut Hill, and Fairview. He also 
preached at Barren Eun. The Eev. Miles Rigor was 
brought up in the Walnut Hill church, and his father 
and family were living there during the pastorate of 
Mr. Kephart. The father of Eev. J. E. King, D.D., the 
superintendent of United Brethren African Missions, 
resided at Barren Eun. Mr. Jacob Sherrick, the uncle 
of Eev. G-. W. Sherrick, D.D., and family, were con- 
nected with the Mount Xebo church. The residence of 
the pastor was in the town of Mount Pleasant. Both 
pastor and wife always cherished the most pleasant 
recollections of this period, because of the very great 
kindness of the people. 



128 



/ 



V 




REV. EZEKIEL B. KEPHART 



From a photograph taken while he was a member of 
the Iowa, Senate and president of 
Western College. 



CHAPTER X. 



THE STATESMAN. 

While serving as president of Western College he 
was elected to the State Senate. This honor came to 
him unsought. There was a contest between two towns, 
Marion and Cedar Eapids. Marion had the county- 
seat, but Cedar Rapids wanted it. President Kephart 
favored leaving it at Marion. Representatives from 
Marion were delegated to Western to interview him, 
with the hope of getting his consent to accept the nomi- 
nation, with the assurance that he would be elected. He 
gave his consent and was elected, beginning his service 
in the Iowa Senate January, 1872, becoming a member 
of the Fourteenth General Assembly. 

Senator Kephart was made chairman of the Com- 
mittee on Temperance. At this time this committee 
was of great importance, as the State was undergoing 
the agitation resulting in the Republican party passing 
prohibitory laws. Many sections of the State were 
sending in memorials and petitions regarding temper- 
ance. All such, of course, were referred to this com- 
mittee. The "Journal" of the Senate for this period 
contains the record of Senator Kephart's station and 
work. 

Every reformer in legislation will find much stren- 
uous opposition. At this time there were those who op- 



9 



129 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

posed every suggestion of limitations of the privileges 
of the liquor traffic. There were rabid advocates and 
conservatives. To secure wholesome legislation re- 
quired a cool head, a steady nerve, an unswerving pur- 
pose. Not every motion made by Senator Kephart pre- 
vailed, but if voted down to-day, he would revise and 
bring it up to-morrow in a new form. A colleague once 
said to him: "Senator Kephart, how can you bring up 
the same issue so often with such calmness, when it is 
always mooted down'?" He answered, "When a man 
has the consciousness that he is right, he can afford to 
keep at it, though he should stand alone." 

Says Eev. A. Schwimley, Iowa City, Iowa: "Never 
will I forget the time when he was in the Iowa Senate, 
and how he championed the anti-whisky measure to 
victory when all its friends thought it was lost." 

As senator, it was his duty to present petitions com- 
ing from his constituents, even though the cause or 
statement might not be approved by his own judgment. 
The Senate Journal of March 7, 1872, contains a peti- 
tion from Linn County, which shows the rabid character 
of some memorials to legislative bodies, and the jocular 
spirit provoked. On this occasion the equilibrium of 
senatorial dignity was very much disturbed. The inci- 
dent from the Journal will interest the reader: 

"Senator Kephart presented a petition from citizens 
of Linn County asking for the passage of a law in rela- 
tion to secret benevolent societies, prohibiting them 
from laying corner-stones of public buildings, that the 
charters of all such societies and orders be revoked, and 
making it unlawful to issue such charters hereafter, and 



The Statesman 



prohibiting the members of all secret societies from sit- 
ting as jurors in the trial of all causes, civil and crim- 
inal, in the courts of this State. 

"Senator Boomer moved to refer the petition to the 
committee on the suppression of intemperance. 

"Senator Taylor moved to amend by striking out the 
words, 'the suppression of intemperance/ and inserting 
the words 'State Penitentiary/ 

"Senator Hurley moved to amend the amend- 
ment by striking out the words 'State Penitentiary/ and 
inserting the words, 'Insane Asylum.' 

"This was accepted by Senator Taylor. 

"Senator Campbell moved to lay the motion to refer 
on the table, which was disagreed to. 

"Senator Beardsley moved to amend the amendment 
by striking out the words 'Insane Asylum/ and insert- 
ing the word 'incorporations.' 

"The amendment to the amendment was adopted, 
the amendment prevailed, and the motion as amended 
was agreed to." 

Senator Kephart left his impress on the school laws 
of his State. He always sought to raise standards, and 
then make it possible, so far as reasonable legislation 
could do this, to reach the standard. We find refer- 
ence to bills presented by him to raise the requirements 
for county superintendents, normal schools, etc. His 
watchfulness of these questions is illustrated by the fol- 
lowing minute from the Journal of February 7, 1873: 

"Senator Maxwell moved to amend Section 36 by 
adding, 'and teachers shall draw no pay as teachers for 
the time spent in attending such institute.' 



131 



Life cf Ezekiel Boring Kephart 



"Senator Kephart moved to amend the amendment 
by striking out the word mo' after the word 'draw/ " 

On a yea and nay vote this amendment striking out 
the little word mo' was adopted, which meant so much 
to the teachers and schools of Iowa. He introduced "a 
bill for an act to promote the science of medicine and 
surgery in the State of Iowa." 

At the opening of the Assembly, in 1874, the legisla- 
tors found it necessary to investigate certain charges 
against the management of Iowa State Agricultural 
College, located at Ames. These charges included : The 
"misappropriation of funds," (a former treasurer, 
Samuel E. Eamkin, had become a defaulter). "That 
the college was drifting away from its original intent." 
"That the students are arbitrarily, capriciously, and 
often unjustly treated." There were also questions 
arising from difference in the faculty and the dismissal 
of some members. A joint committee, consisting of 
three members of the Senate and five members of the 
House, was appointed to investigate the whole affair. 

February 23, 1874, this committee met for organiza- 
tion in the office of Auditor of State. On motion, Hon. 
E. B. Kephart was chosen chairman. The joint resolu- 
tion of the two houses provided : 

"The said committee shall have power to send for 
persons and papers, to compel the attendance of wit- 
nesses, and to employ a clerk, a shorthand reporter, an 
expert accountant, and any other assistance they may 
deem necessary; to sit during the session of the Senate 
and House, and to do all things necessary to render its 
investigations thorough and complete, and to make re- 

132 



The Statesman 



port to this General Assembly, and to have the evidence 
and report printed by the State Printer, for the use of 
the Senate and the House.' 7 

The committee met day after day, calling before 
them trustees, officers, teachers, and pupils of the in- 
stitution, and others implicated and who might be use- 
ful as witnesses. The proceedings cover about 700 
printed pages. The investigation was concluded March 
12, and on March 17, 1874, the committee presented 
its report to the General Assembly. 

These investigations resulted in enlightening the 
Assembly, and their constituents, as to the exact condi- 
tion of the college, in a complete revision of the course 
of study, in strengthening and enlarging the original 
intent, and, in general, in removing impediments and 
in starting the institution on its subsequent successful 
career. Many readers will remember the splendid work 
of Dr. Wm. Beardshear as president of this institution 
in the closing years of his life. 

Politically, as well as ecclesiastically, he sometimes 
thought it well to "give a man a dose of his own medi- 
cine." It occurred on one occasion that Senator Kep- 
hart very much desired to have a certain bill on 
file called up for consideration. This could not be done 
if any one objected. There was one member, in the em- 
ploy of certain interests, whose representative did not 
wish this bill considered, knowing that if voted upon it 
would pass. Another senator came to Senator Kephart 

and said to him: "Now Senator N is watching 

you to keep you from calling up your bill. You go and 
engage him in conversation, and we will call it up." 



133 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

Senator Kephart went over to call upon Senator X , 

asking him to explain a certain point in a bill in which 

he, Senator X , was interested. When Senator 

N" was seen to be fully engrossed in his explana- 
tion to Senator Kephart, the bill was called up. There 
being no objection, it was placed upon final considera- 
tion and passage, and became a law. "Well," said Sen- 
ator N , "I never thought Senator Kephart would 

play that kind of a trick." 

It is w T ell known in Iowa that Senator Kephart's vote 
nominated Hon. W. B. Allison for United States Sen- 
ator the first time. It was definitely known how every 
other man in the Eepublican caucus would vote, and the 
result was a tie between Senator Allison and the former 
incumbent. Senator Kephart refused to commit him- 
self, or to state any " preference whatever. The excite- 
ment was intense. When the vote was taken, Senator 
Kephart voted for Senator Allison, who has been con- 
tinually a member of the Senate from that time to the 
present. Senator Allison never forgot the favor, but 
always entertained a feeling of friendship for Senator 
Kephart, and the sentiment led him, on the suggestion 
of the Bishop, to turn Mr. Carnegie's gift of $50,000 
for some Iowa institution, to Leander Clarke College. 

It is also well known that the Eepublican party of 
his State offered the nomination for the office of Gov- 
ernor to Senator Kephart, and the nomination was 
equivalent to an election in Iowa. The delegates were 
assembled in convention, and the slate was made out be- 
fore his arrival. When he arrived in the convention 
city, a delegation waited on him to inform him of their 



134 



The Statesman 



purpose, and secure his consent. He assured them that 
he could not give his consent, as he had devoted his life 
to his Church. Senator Kephart also served as trustee 
for the "Institution for the Blind," being elected as 
president of the Board. He visited it statedly during 
his period of office, 7 72- 7 6, and did much to promote 
the welfare of this class of unfortunates in the State. 

Even after elected bishop, there were strong induce- 
ments presented to him to turn aside to the service of the 
State. He was invited to the presidency of Iowa Agri- 
cultural College, at a salary of $5,500.00 per year, more 
than double the amount he was receiving as bishop, but 
he felt that he must preach the gospel. 

It may be truthfully said that he never regretted his 
choice. Near the close of his life, a prominent individ- 
ual said to him : "Now, in looking back over your life, 
it is very clear that you could have succeeded in other 
vocations. You received honors, unsought, in the pol- 
itical field, and others would have come. You showed 
apt ability in the educational world, and the State would 
have honored you. You certainly could have become 
eminent in law. Now, if you had your life to live over, 
and could begin again with this assurance, would you 
not choose differently?" Deliberately he answered: 
"No, I have no regrets. If I could choose to-day, I 
should decide to give my life to preaching the gospel of 
the Son of God, and in the Churcr- in which I have 
spent my life." 

In one of his official letters from abroad, at the close 
of an official visit to Africa and Germany, he uses these 
words : "Had I a thousand lives to live, I would spend 



135 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

them all in holding up the life of my blessed Lord as 
the only hope of my sorrow-smitten race/ 7 

Hon. Alfred Shaw, of Washington, D. C, a friend of 
his boyhood, long in public life, says of him: "Bishop 
Kephart was a noble specimen of humanity, and dem- 
onstrated to us all what can be done by industry and 
faithfulness to duty." 

The following letter from the Hon. James Wilson, 
Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Washing- 
ton, D. C, is in place here : 

Bishop Kephart's work and mine were along different 
lines. He was a student of the progress of the people along 
spiritual lines, I was a student of their progress along 
economic lines, but we met quite frequently, and I recog- 
nized in him a power for good in the land. He studied 
especially the value of the development of man's spiritual 
nature, knowing and maintaining that man's develop- 
ment physically and mentally failed to make a complete 
man. He was an educator who never forgot that the heart 
must be educated as well as the head and the hand. His 
life work was an appeal to the best that is in man and the 
development of it. He belonged to the great middle class 
of our people that has not ceased to recognize our depend- 
ence upon God, and he never found it necessary to improve 
upon the plan of salvation or to amend it; to detract from 
it or to add to it in any way. 

He did much good in his day as an educator because his 
influence was for good living rather than for money-get- 
ting. Such men as Dr. Kephart are not scarce in the land; 
we would not have so good a country without them; but he 
ranked very high in his class. Self-seeking men live for 
themselves and die, to be soon forgotten; the good that men 
of Bishop Kephart's stamp do, "lives after them." The in- 
fluence they exert goes on and on, and we shall never know 
the value of such men until the final books are opened, 
when we may be able to trace the works done in faith from 
one to another in circles that radiate from the author for 



136 



The Statesman 

good until, as some one has said, "they break on the shores 
of eternity." 

Very truly yours, 

James Wilson. 

Although thirty years have intervened between his 
membership in the Iowa Senate and his death, that hon- 
orable body sent a copy of resolutions, beautifully en- 
grossed, as their tribute of respect to his worth. 



137 



"Yea, this in him was the peculiar grace 
That before living he'd learn to live — 

No end to learning : 
Earn the means first — God surely will contrive 

Use for our earning. 
Others mistrust and say, 'But time escapes ! 

Live now or never !' 
He said, 'What's time? Leave now for dogs and apes, 

Man has forever.' " 

Back to his studies fresher than at first, 

Fierce as a dragon 
He (soul-hydroptic with a sacred thirst) 

Sucked at the flagon. 
Oh, if we draw a circle premature, 

Heedless of far gain, 
Greedy for quick returns of profit, sure 

Bad is our bargain ! 
Was it not great? did not he throw on God 

(He loves the burthen) — 
God's task to make the heavenly period 

Perfect the earthen? 
Did not he magnify the mind, show clear 

Just what it all meant? 
He should not discount life, as fools do here, 

Paid by installment. 
He ventured neck or nothing — heaven's success 

Found, or earth's failure : 
"Wilt thou trust death or not?" He answered "Yes; 

Hence with life's pale lure !" 



138 



CHAPTER XI. 



COLLEGE PRESIDENT AND EDUCATOR. 

In January, 1868, he was returned to the Mount 
Pleasant Circuit, where he served until August of that 
year. Western College, located at Western, Iowa, was 
looking for a president. On the suggestion of Prof. E. 
C. Ebersole, his college friend, the choice fell upon Rev. 
E. B. Kephart, who accepted and removed to Iowa. As 
he remained at the head of the institution thirteen 
3 r ears, until his election as bishop, the reader will be in- 
terested in its early history. 

In August, 1855, the Iowa Conference, in annual ses- 
sion at Muscatine, voted to establish a college, ap- 
pointed a board of trustees, and instructed them, "as 
soon as possible to select a site for the location of the 
college, in as convenient a place as possible for the 
whole Church of Iowa." Dr. Berger, in his United 
Brethren History, gives the following account: 

"At a meeting held in February, 1856, the trustees ac- 
cepted a tract of land lying in the open prairie, near 
Shueyville, in Linn County, for a location, and soon 
after commenced the erection of the main building. 
The town springing up around it took the name of 
Western. In October Solomon Weaver was elected pres- 
ident of the college. 

"The manual-labor system, which had been so elabo- 
rately discussed in the columns of the Religious Tele- 

139 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

scope in connection with Otterbein University, with 
much greater success in type than in the furrows of the 
farm, was regarded with favor by the founders of West- 
ern College. The trustees adopted the plan, provided a 
farm, and after five years of effort to run it with student 
labor, abandoned it as a failure. The school from the 
beginning, as all the schools of the United Brethren 
Church, admitted both sexes to equal privileges in the 
classes. 

"Within a few years after the opening of the school, 
the great War of the Rebellion broke out. The effect 
upon the college was most decided. So many of the 
students, with two professors, in loyal obedience to their 
country's call, left the recitation-room for the camp and 
the front, that scarcely a man of military age was left, 
and some of the classes, as to their male members, were 
completely broken up. And so disastrous were the ef- 
fects of the war upon the attendance at the college, that 
for several years its grade was lowered, and its pres- 
idents were known by the title of principal. 

"The successive presidents of Western College, with 
their terms of service, were as follows: Eev. Solomon 
Weaver, 1856-64; Rev. William Davis, 1864-65; W. M. 
Bartlett, A.M. (principal), 1865-67; H. R. Rage, A.B. 
(principal), fall term, 1867-68; E. C. Ebersole, A.M. 
(principal), 1867-68; E. B. Kephart, D.D., 1868-81; 
W. M. Beardshear, D.D., 1881-89; J. S. Mills, D.D., 
Ph.D., 1889-92; A. M. Beal, A.M., 1892-93; A. P. 
Funkhouser, B.S., 1893-94; Lewis Bookwalter, D.D., 
1894 to the present. The faculty at this time embraces 
twelve persons." 



140 



College President and Educator 



Again : "Dr. E. B. Kephart, a graduate of Otterbein 
University, was called to the presidency in 1868. He 
served for thirteen years, when he was elected by the 
General Conference of 1881, to the office of bishop. Dur- 
ing the period of the war, the attendance had so far de- 
clined that for three years the Board of Trustees had not 
elected a president. Dr. Kephart inaugurated at once 
a vigorous administration, both in the college and in its 
general affairs. The collegiate work proper was re- 
organized, and in 1872, four years after he became its 
head, the college graduated a class of ten. During the 
thirteen years of his management, seventy young people 
took their diplomas." 

During the first two years of his presidency his fam- 
ily occupied rooms in the college-building, in order to 
facilitate discipline. The remainder of the time he 
dwelt in his own home. 

His administration is known for its mingling of kind- 
ness and firmness. He always sought to ally the best 
students with himself by taking them into his 
confidence and council, so as to make them 
feel personally responsible. At one time, when 
there was some commotion in the dormitory, he 
called in a young man, now prominent as a scholar 
in the Church, and said to him in substance: "Now, 
how can we best succeed in bettering conditions and pre- 
serving order in the dormitories." The student said 
that he always afterward felt that he ought to help the 
president in every way possible. This is an illustration 
of one of his methods of governing men. He never 
drove when possible to lead. 



141 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

As a teacher, he stimulated manhood and woman- 
hood. He did not underestimate the value of lan- 
guage, science, and philosophy, but he cared more for 
character. One of his predominant traits through life 
was his charity for the erring who really desired to do 
right. Only eternity can reveal how many were stimu- 
lated to noble endeavor for pure living by the fact that 
Bishop Kephart trusted them. One who was his stu- 
dent in Western says of him: "I was sometimes rude, 
he was always patient; discouraged, he would bear me 
up; and when I did wrong, he forgot it. As time goes 
on, I realize more and more how his influence in the 
earlier years has entered into the shaping of my life in 
these later years." 

Fourteen years given from the most vigorous, form- 
ative period of a man's life, determine to a very large 
degree what the character of his thought and work 
shall be during the remainder of his days. This experi- 
ence prepared him to supply an imperative need in the 
bishopric, and was one reason the Church gave for call- 
ing him to this high post of duty. Although a bishop, 
he could not cease to be an educator, but gave a large 
part of his thought and council to the educational in- 
stitutions of the Church. Without disparagement of 
any one it may be truly said, without fear of contradic- 
tion, that no other has done so much to advance the ed- 
ucational interests of the United Brethren Church. 
Probably every school of the Church, past or present, 
since he became bishop, has leaned heavily upon his 
council, labors, and gifts at some time in its history. 
No school has perished during his episcopal service 



142 



College President and Educator 

without his efforts to save it. In some instances he may 
not have been eounciled with regard to the establishment 
of an institution, but being established, he will do all in 
his power to make it a success. 

Western College was located upon the open prairie. 
A small town, called Western, grew up around the col- 
lege. A railroad was graded through the town, but was 
finally constructed on another route, Ely, three miles 
distant, being the nearest point. The inconvenience of 
reaching Western made a change of location desirable. 
In 1880 the matter was canvassed, the trustees having 
decided to move to such city or town, centrally located, 
as would offer largest inducements. The Board met 
January 1, 1881, the bids were canvassed, and Toledo, 
the county seat of Tama County, was selected. In May 
following, President Kephart was elected bishop, and 
was succeeded in the presidency by Eev. Wm. M. Beard- 
shear, D.D. 

Because of his prominence in the educational councils 
of his Church, the reader will be pleased to have, in this 
connection, the address upon the "History and Develop- 
ment of Education in our Church/' delivered at the 
Frederick General Conference centennial exercises, and 
published in "A Century of United Brethren History 
and Achievements." 

THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION IN OUR CHURCH. 

Education and religion, properly understood and adjusted, 
go hand in hand to the solution of the problem of the 
world's evangelization and civilization. That this problem 
is yet unsolved is admitted; that the Church of Christ is 
vigorously engaged in its solution is very apparent. These 
two factors are counterparts of the same agency employed 



143 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

by our Lord in making effectual his redemptive work for 
the family of mankind and lifting it from paganism into 
civilization and a knowledge of the true God. 

To divorce these two potent agencies leads to a narrow 
religious intolerance and superstition on the one hand, and, 
on the ether, to egotistic materialism and self-poised, ir- 
rational conceit. 

Superstition and religious intolerance have always found 
their most fertile soil in religious, uneducated ignorance, 
and egotistic materialism and self-poised, skeptical conceit 
have theirs in intellectual culture completely divorced from 
religion. The founders of the Church of the United Breth- 
ren in Christ were aware of this sad dilemma into which 
the church of Christ has so often slipped; hence, while 
they clearly saw the utility of intellectual culture, aye, its 
absolute necessity in their church work, they at the same 
time vigilantly sought to avoid its divorcement from the 
religious life of the Christian ministry. Many good men, 
both educated and uneducated, failing to recognize this 
distinction, have charged the fathers of the denomination 
with being opposed to an educated ministry, and, indeed, 
to education in general. This, however, is a great mistake. 
It is hardly necessary to say in this connection that Bishop 
Otterbein, the father of the denomination, was a man of 
scholastic learning, having been trained in the universities 
of the fatherland. And while it is true that a number of 
our Church fathers had not the benefits of college training, 
yet they were profound thinkers and educated men in their 
own way, with the anointings of the Spirit of the Lord 
upon them. 

While the denomination may have been a little tardy in 
commencing to build institutions of learning, yet the work 
of education was encouraged and carried forward in a pri- 
vate way, both among the ministry and laity of the Church, 
and Father Spayth puts it well when he says, in the Relig- 
ious Telescope, Vol. V., page 336, "Now mark me, literary, 
scientific, and religious attainments, we, as a Church and 
people, have always respected, admired and honored." From 
the beginning two facts have been adhered to in our educa- 
tional and religious work: First, that learning is not the 
primary, but the secondary means or help in the gospel 



144 



College President and Educator 



method of saving and civilizing men. Second, that knowl- 
edge is not the "Bread of Life." 

It is rather a surprise, however, that Bishop Otterbein, 
great scholar as he was, took no step toward establishing a 
school of learning for his Church. And it was not until 
almost a third of a century after his death that, in Circle- 
ville, Ohio, the General Conference took the first action 
toward founding an institution of learning for the denomi- 
nation; this conference, which was composed of twenty-four 
delegates and three bishops, Henry Kumler, Sr., John Coons, 
and Henry Kumler, Jr., discussed the subject of education 
thoroughly, and after due deliberation, by almost a unani- 
mous vote, passed the two following resolutions: 

"Resolved, 1. That proper measures be adopted to estab- 
lish an institution of learning." 

"2. That it be recommended to the attention of the an- 
nual conferences, avoiding, however, irredeemable debts." 

Doubtless it was the thought of this General Conference 
that one school should then be established for the denomina- 
tion, and when we note the fact that its membership did not 
number above thirty thousand communicants, it will be 
seen that the thought was judicious and wise. But the 
Church at large did not heed the wisdom of this Conference; 
the spirit of college building was contagious. The subject 
having received the endorsement of the General Conference, 
it was at once taken up by the annual conferences, and be- 
came a chief topic of discussion in those bodies, and a num- 
ber of schools were hastily projected. The years 1846 and 
1847 were prolific in our history for projecting educational 
institutions. In 1846 the Miami Conference proposed to unite 
with the conferences in central and northern Indiana to 
build a college in Bluffton, Indiana; the St. Joseph Confer- 
ence also fell in line with the Miami, but the project failed. 
In the same year Scioto Conference, while in session in 
Pickaway County, Ohio, received a delegation from the 
Methodist Episcopal Church with a proposition to transfer 
Blendon Young Men's Seminary, located at Westerville, 
Ohio, to the conference, if the conference would assume the 
seminary indebtedness, which amounted to $1,500. The 
conference accepted the proposition, elected a board of trus- 
tess, and, by resolution, invited neighboring conferences to 
cooperate. 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

Early in 1847 the Indiana Conference, then in session, re- 
solved to build a college, either in Dublin or at Washington, 
in that State, but the college did not materialize. In Feb- 
ruary of the same year the Allegheny Conference resolved 
to build a college in Mt. Pleasant, Pa., or Johnstown, Pa. 
The resolution was carried into effect. The College was 
located in Mt. Pleasant, and in 1850 Mt. Pleasant College 
opened its doors for the reception of students. In 1849 the 
Indiana Conference resolved to open a seminary in Harts- 
ville, Indiana. Subsequently the White River Conference 
indorsed the project, and later the St. Joseph and Wabash 
conferences for a time gave it normal support. This 
flattering success so inspired the friends of the seminary 
that they changed the name of the school to Hartsville Uni- 
versity. In 1853 the Illinois Conference established Blan- 
dinville Seminary in Blandinville, Illinois. Also about the 
same time the Michigan Conference accepted a transfer of 
the Michigan Union College, located at Leoni, Michigan, 
from the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Thus in quick 
succession came the different schools in our educational 
beginnings. The location of many of these schools was as 
equally unwise as their number. In 1855 the Iowa Confer- 
ence, in session in Muscatine, Iowa, resolved to build a 
college west of the Mississippi, and in February, 1856, the 
trustees located Western College at Western, Linn County, 
Iowa, and January 1, 1857, its doors were opened to stu- 
dents. Between eleven and twelve o'clock at night, January 
1, 1881, the trustees of this college, at a special session, 
which session had been arranged for at their previous 
meeting in June, 1880, relocated this college at Toledo, 
Iowa, their action to go into effect at the close of the spring 
term of 1881, and the fall term of the same year to open 
in Toledo, Iowa, which was carried out to the letter. 

Westfield College, Westfield, Illinois, was opened in 1865, 
and Lane University, Lecompton, Kansas, about the same 
time; also Lebanon Valley College, Annville, Pennsylvania, 
in 1866; Philomath College, Philomath, Oregon, in 1867; 
Avalon College, -Avalon, Missouri, in 1869, relocated in 
Trenton, Missouri; Shenandoah Institute, Dayton, "Virginia, 
in 1876; Edwards Academy, Greenville, Tennessee, in 1877, 
relocated in White Pine, Tennessee; San Joaquin College, 



146 



College President and Educator 

Wcodbridge, California, in 1879; West Virginia Classical 
and Normal Acadamy, Buckhannon, West Virginia, in 1883; 
Sugar Grove Seminary, Sugargrove, Pennsylvania, in 1884; 
and York College, York, Nebraska, in 1890. Many other 
schools have been started in our Church, some by private 
enterprise and some otherwise. The following is quite a 
correct list of other institutions, as given by Dr. Berger in 
his United Brethren Church History: Roanoke Seminary, 
Roanoke, Indiana; Green Hill Seminary, Green Hill, Indi- 
ana; Fostoria Academy, Fcstoria, Ohio; Elroy Institute, 
Blroy, Wisconsin; Dover Academy, Dover, Illinois; On- 
tario Academy, Port Elgin, Ontario; Washington Seminary, 
Huntsville, Washington; Sublimity College, Oregon; Cen- 
tral College, Kansas; Gould College, Harlan, Kansas, now 
united with Lane University, Lecompton, Kansas; North 
Manchester College, North Manchester, Indiana, and the 
Rufus Clark and Wife Training School, Shenge, West 
Africa. 

While the Church, with a becoming vigor, commenced to 
build its schools in 1846, yet it was twenty-four years later 
before any direct action was taken by the denomination to 
establish a theological school for the special training of her 
ministers. The General Conference of 1865 recommended 
that special biblical instruction be given in the colleges of 
the Church. But in 1869, at Lebanon, Pennsylvania, the 
General Conference there assembled passed the following 
resolution: 

''Resolved, That the Board of Education be instructed to 
devise and adopt a plan for the founding of a biblical insti- 
tute, to be under the control of the General Conference; and 
said board is hereby instructed and empowered to take 
measures to raise funds and locate said institution, and to 
proceed with its establishment as soon as practicable." 

This resolution was with good cheer adopted, and a Board 
of Education elected as follows: Revs. Lewis Davis, D.D., 
Daniel Shuck, W. C. Smith, Milton Wright, E. B. Kephart, 
D. Eberly, S. Weaver, P. B. Lee, V/. S. Titus, and E. Light. 
This committee met in Dayton, Ohio, July 27, 1870, and lo- 
cated Union Biblical Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. In 1871 
the board met in Dayton, Ohio, August 2, and elected Dr. 
Lewis Davis, president of Otterbein University, and Rev. G. 



147 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

A. Funkhouser, A.B., as teachers of the Seminary, to open 
the institution to students in October of the same year. 
The executive committee added to the faculty Rev. J. p. 
Landis, A.B., shortly after, and the Seminary was opened 
with three professors as its faculty. This school has done 
much for the Church, and its growth has been far above 
what in reason could have been expected. Few schools of 
its character and grade, if any, in our country, have a larger 
number of students at the present time than Union Bibli- 
cal Seminary. While it was commenced with nothing in 
the way of funds or equipment except five acres of ground 
as a site, it now has an endowment of $99,794.39, and a li- 
brary of about 3,000 volumes. 

From its list of schools, it will be readily seen thai our 
denomination has not been slack in commencing to build 
institutions of learning. That in this direction there has 
been at times more zeal than knowledge manifested will 
scarcely be questioned by the thoughtful. This grew out of 
the fact that the Church had not come to a conscious 
knowledge that denominational schools were not money- 
making institutions, but were in a sense charitable. In 
locating these schools due consideration was greatly lacking, 
and as a result of this undue haste we have scarcely one 
institution but that at some time a project has been set on 
foot to relocate the school, or a move made in that direction. 
Indeed, from the fact of the out-of-the-way locations, some 
of our institutions had to be relocated at much cost to the 
Church, and others have perished from no other cause than 
being placed where it was not practicable for the public to 
reach them. In taking a survey of our educational work 
it would seem to have been a principle sacred with those 
who had to do with the locating of our schools, to put them 
as far away from the masses of people as they well could. 
All this can be accounted for in two ways: First, it was 
peculiar to the age to locate institutions of learning in 
small towns and away from great thoroughfares; second, 
the founders of our schools were not college men, and they 
followed in the wake of others. 

Now when it is remembered that when we commenced our 
educational work the men whom we had to place at the 
head of our institutions, and all of our instructors 



148 



College President and Educator 



were educated and trained in schools not our own, for we 
had none in which to train them, the growth and develop- 
ment of education in the denomination is really marvelous. 
It has always been a surprise to me and now is, not that 
we have made some mistakes in our educational work, but 
that we have made so few. As a rule, all are now well lo- 
cated. It can be said in truth also that they never were so 
well equipped and meeting the demands of the Church as 
now. And while they are all not free from debt and prop- 
erly endowed, the Church never was so willing and able to 
lift these debts and endow her schools as at the present. 
The Church is now conscious that her schools are great 
centers of spiritual life and power, and the proper place 
for her sons and daughters to receive their training for 
life work. In one respect, especially in the beginning of her 
educational work, our Church took an advance step, and 
has successfully developed the theory of mixed schools. 
When she opened her first institution it was alike free to 
her daughters and to her sons; and so successful has she 
been in developing that free and broad principle that she 
has the good pleasure of seeing the great universities of 
our country throw open their doors alike to ladies and 
gentlemen. In all her institutions of learning the sexes 
have been and are now admitted on an equality, and her 
system of instruction is on an equality with the best in the 
land. Men who have not been directly connected with the 
subject of education in our schools often criticise the man- 
agement, but it is a fact above question that with the 
amount of means at their command, our schools have accom- 
plished more accordingly than any class of church schools 
in our country. At the present we have more students in 
our institutions than at any previous time in our history, 
and the work done in these schools is up to the best of like 
grade anywhere. So rapid and deep has been the develop- 
ment of this subject among our people that even the most 
humble of our country congregations demand a trained man 
as their pastor and spiritual adviser. Not only has this de- 
velopment come in literature and science, but in music 
and art as well, so that at present it is the voice of our be- 
loved Zion, "Let everything that hath breath praise the 
Lord." Also, the temper of the mind of our people has un- 



149 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

dergcne a great change in the history and development of 
education among us, which vitally affects our ministry. 
There has been a gradual diminution of the weight of au- 
thority of the clergy during this period, and the sources of 
recognized authority are different from what they were at 
the opening of our history. The divine right of the clergy 
among Protestants is as dead as is the divine right of kings 
in this country. Rant and cant in the pulpit are no longer 
recognized as weight of authority, or received as evidence 
of piety. As President Charles W. Eliot has said: "The 
authority of the minister is now derived from the purity 
and strength of his character, from the vigor of his intel- 
lect and the depth of his learning, and from the power of 
his speech. Candor, knowledge, wisdom and love can only 
give him authority with the people." 

We stand on the threshold of the twentieth century with 
our educational, our missionary, yes, all our general and 
special Church work. God help us to be true. Coming events 
thicken fast on the dial of time, the rolling wheels of God 
run swift and high, but never backward. To-day a decade 
of years is enough to revolutionize the world; the deep, hid- 
den forces of truth now sway the very scaffold erected by 
its enemies for its execution, and the sound of the going of 
God is heard throughout the whole earth. "Signs in the 
sun and moon appear, the sea and the waves roaring, and 
the powers of heaven are shaken." The great, seething, 
surging sea of humanity is to-day as the rushing in of tin, 
tide, the nations are running to and fro through the earth 
and knowledge is increasing, and all things are replete with 
change and revolution that the rubbish which floated to us 
from antiquity may give place to the "new heaven and the 
new earth, in which dwelleth righteousness." 

Bishop Kephart, before his election as General Super- 
intendent, was a member of the Board of Education, and 
during the entire period of his service in that position 
he was elected a member of this board each General 
Conference, and made the president of each board. 

His unflagging interest in this subject is shown by 
the frequency and character of his articles in the 

150 



College President and Educator 

Telescope, insisting that one imperative need of the 
Church, without which it could not live and grow, was 
institutions of learning of a high order, and that to se- 
cure these would require the cooperation of the money, 
brain, and heart of the entire Church. He was always 
an advocate of learning, not simply for the sake of 
learning, but as a lever to lift the world to God. 

With respect to the need of our educational work in 
general, he writes : 

The development of a church is poised upon the intelli- 
gence and piety of its ministry and laity. In successful, 
permanent church work these two principles may not be 
divorced. They go hand in hand to the conflict. They meet 
ignorance and irreligion, the common foe to man, on the 
same battle-field, and united they achieve a common victory 
in the strife of life. The darkest deeds in human history 
are but a record of an ignorant and corrupt priesthood, 
while the brightest page on the dial of time contains a 
record of the highest intelligence and deepest piety in Him 
"who is the light of the world." 

To keep ignorance at bay, and to maintain an intelligent, 
Christ-like piety, the church has found it necessary to 
build and support schools for the education of the race. 

The history of Christianity shows this fact, that the de- 
nomination or body of Christians that is most vigilant and 
active in providing for the broadest possible Christian cul- 
ture of those among whom it labors, not only shares the 
largest in the blessings of God in extending its borders, 
but also in the deep, hidden riches of divine grace so essen- 
tial to true piety, and a qualification for the lifting up of 
the people to God. 

We are reaching a crisis in the history of education in 
our Church. I think those who preceded us in the Church 
acted wisely in commencing to build up schools when they 
did. Doubtless they would have done much better had they 
begun their work earlier in the history of the de- 
nomination; but what they accomplished was largely of 
a formative nature; it was the beginning. What they com- 



151 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

menced we must give form, and crystallize it. The debts 
contracted we must pay, and it is but right that we should. 
The libraries, together with other equipments needed in 
our schools, we must supply. Nor should we lose sight of 
the fact that not only the age, but also the Church and hu- 
manity need better-equipped institutions of learning, and 
more thorough work done in them, than at any previous 
period of human history. The reason of this is obvious. 
Never before has the race reached so broad and elevated a 
status in the history of civilization, and the Church been so 
elevated and truly Christian. 

He wrote upon the financial needs of our schools back 
in the '80's, when they were all burdened with debt, and 
so helped to stir the membership to hope and zeal, 
which has resulted in the splendid work in payment of 
debt and endowment, the two things for which he so 
earnestly plead. The heart of every man and woman 
connected with the active work of these institutions was 
made to bound within him as he read the earnest words 
in the Telescope on "Our Educational Work: — Finan- 
ces." 

The subject of finance is one of the perplexing questions 
in our educational work at the present, and must engage 
the Church's attention for years to come. This subject in- 
cludes present indebtedness and much-needed endowment. 

As a rule our institutions are embarrassed with debts, 
which much hedge up the way of advancement. To pay 
these debts, or at least to provide for their payment in the 
near future, is a necessity felt most keenly by those having 
the immediate control of our schools, and so long as these 
debts obtain, real advancement will be most difficult, if, in- 
deed, advancement can be made at all. But who is it that 
has real faith in God that doubts the willingness of the 
Church to lift these seeming mountains out of the way? 

Wise and judicious plans, well matured and faithfully 
executed, will, in the near future, not only secure funds 
sufficient to pay present debts, but also will place in 



152 



College President and Educator 

the treasuries of our institutions money enough to make 
all needed improvements in the buildings and grounds, and 
internal improvement as well. 

And in connection with providing to pay debts, to im- 
prove buildings, and to equip them, we must make ample 
provisions for the permanent endowment of our schools. 

To say that colleges and universities are not self-support- 
ing institutions, and must oe well endowed in order to run 
successfully, is but to repeat what has been said again and 
again, and demonstrated almost indefinitely, as well in the 
history of institutions on the continent of Europe as in our 
own country. Surely we are blind to our own interests as 
a Church if we do not see — what has already been delayed 
much too long — the paramount importance of having our 
schools liberally and permanently endowed. As for my- 
self, I cannot see how we can meet the behests of Christian- 
ity, and discharge what we owe to God and the world, if 
we neglect longer this great duty. 

As a denomination we cannot say, nor are we disposed to 
say, "Let others see to and have charge of this educational 
work." It is a responsibility that God has laid upon us, 
and the question properly put is, "Who among us will meet 
this responsibility?" 

His heart was often grieved as he saw so many of the 
youth of the Church, induced by the promise of finan- 
cial aid, going elsewhere for their educational training, 
and to find their life work. Having climbed the hill 
"difficulty' 7 himself, educationally, his heart beat in 
tenderest sympathy for every young man and woman 
earnestly seeking fitness for life's duties. Hence, in 
cooperation with the Board of Education, he planned, 
and publicly and privately he plead, for beneficiary aid 
for this class of students. Note his burning words : 

The subject of beneficiary education also presses heavily 
upon us, and requires the special attention of the Church. 
In this department we have done but little, and most keenly 
do we now feel the force of this neglect. 



153 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

Many, many, of the colleges and universities of our coun- 
try are not only well endowed and well equipped, but also 
have gathered large funds for beneficiary purposes, and are 
aiding bountifully that class of students whose misfortune 
it was to "be born poor," but whose good fortune it was to 
be endowed with a bright intellect and a taste for learning. 
A large per cent, of the class thus born are drawn to these 
schools by the aid proffered them, and as a rule their life 
work is in that field where they received the needed prof- 
fered aid. That we might have the services of that class 
after they are educated would be an unworthy motive to in- 
spire a church to create a beneficiary fund. Such a motive 
would be purety selfish. 

We should provide such a fund because it is our duty to 
do so. Under God "we are our brother's keeper." God 
furnished the intellect, and we are to provide the means for 
its cultivation. 

We want more "aid funds" than we now have to assist 
this class of meritorious students. Our teachers, our preach- 
ers, our missionaries— and as one has said, "We want them 
by the hundreds every year" — will not likely come from 
families of the wealthy in many cases, but they will come, 
as a rule, from the middle and poorer classes of society. 
Many a young man with first-class mental endowments is 
born to poverty. A timely aid is an offset to his poverty, 
and puts him on the highway to eminence and usefulness. 
To aid such a one is but "to cast bread upon the waters," 
which, in due time, will be found in golden fruitage. 

Whatever might be the needs of the institutions of 
the Church, it cannot be said that Bishop Kephart ever 
lost confidence in the membership; he believed in the 
people. He endeavored to show the opportunity for 
wise investment for eternity, cites inspiring examples, 
and shows the Church that she is abundantly able. In 
an article on "Our Colleges," he says: 

The time is upon us when the equipment of a college and 
its facilities for imparting instruction weigh much more 
with the intelligent student and the wise parent than does 



154 



College President and Educator 

the fact that it is under the auspices of this or that denom- 
ination. Yes, the time is upon us when equipment and 
facilities for learning will determine what institution will 
get the students. It is a great source of pleasure to see the 
rapid progress that we have made in our school work in the 
last twenty-five years in the way of building and equipping, 
and what a grand opportunity there is for yet far more ad- 
vanced work in this direction. Is it not a little remarkable 
that some of our wealthy brethren do not seize upon the 
opportunity, and thus build for themselves a monument by 
adding large equipment to our schools? Is it not remark- 
ably strange that some rich brother does not place in Union 
Biblical Seminary a $50,000 library, where it is so much 
needed, and thus do a noble work — as did Sister and 
Brother Mason when they placed a $30,000 cabinet in West- 
ern college? 

$ 4: $ $ $ $ $ 4 

As to the ability of the Church to meet all these obliga- 
tions, it is simply immense, and to question it would be an 
insult to our membership. Moreover, the willingness upon 
the part of the Church to meet these obligations is not a 
question. The many, many, hearty responses given to the 
many calls by our people in the past is a guaranty that in 
the present hour, and for the present need, they will not 
be found wanting. 

Again, on "Our College Debts — We Must Pay Them," 
he declares : 

Yes, we must lift these debts, or they will sever or palsy 
these right arms of our Zion, and "we being desolate will sit 
upon the ground." 

The authorities of both these colleges named (Otterbein 
University and Western College), have devised plans by 
which to extricate these schools. It is not my plan, it is 
not your plan, it is their plan. This is also right, and we 
are as false as sin if we refuse to help them when it is in 
our power to do so. One reason why some of our college 
plans have not succeeded is that when suggested by the au- 
thorities, so many other persons had "nice" plans to suggest 
that it scarcely left any one to do anything, and as a result 



155 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

no one plan received a hearty union of effort upon the part 
of the whole Church. As a rule schemers do not pay much, 
they want to lay the plans and have you do the work. 

Again : 

I am quite sure we cannot truthfully say, as a part of 
the Church cooperating with the two schools above named, 
we are not able to pay these debts. We are abundantly 
able. Did you ever know of a Jewish college to be op- 
pressed by debt? They pay as they pray. They learned this 
lesson in a strange land, as well as in their own country, 
and amid the vicissitudes of niany, many centuries they 
have not forgotten it. United Brethren, in the line of col- 
lege work, must learn and practise this important lesson. 

On the educational line let there be but one voice, and 
that be "forward" to the lifting of the debts of our col- 
leges, academies, and seminaries. I do not think of failures, 
do not entertain these dreary thoughts, but I would point 
you to the dawning of a brighter day. The "Groves and the 
Academy," under the beautiful sun of Greece, by the deso- 
lating hand of war were swept from the Attic shore, yet 
their influence lives to bless the nineteenth century. So 
may we, as children of God, build up the institutions our 
fathers founded, that when we sleep with them others may 
rise to call us blessed. 

He never believed his Church too poor to care abun- 
dantly for ever} r one of her institutions. He said : 

The chief reason why we have been paying in "one-half" 
only is, I believe, the prevailing opinion throughout not a 
small part of the denomination that as a religious body 
we are poor. This seems to be so deeply wrought into the 
very bones and marrow of the Church that it is retarding 
our progress at the present time more than all other hin- 
drances combined. If our poverty were true it would be a 
sad fact, but it only being an assumed poverty makes the 
fact still more sad. May God help us to realize our financial 
ability. 

The way out of the difficulty, as I see it, is for each 
part of the Church cooperating with our several schools to 



156 



College President and Educator 

take it in hand to pay off the debts and endow their schools, 
for as it was true that Israel was able to go up and possess 
"the land," so it is equally true that the several parts of 
the Church cooperating with our several schools are more 
than abundantly able to pay off all debts and endow their 
schools. 

It is not the finances and material equipment alone 
which interest this apostle of education to his Church, 
but he characterizes the kind of a teacher who must be 
there. He says : 

But buildings and grounds and equipment, all told, do not 
make a college or theological seminary. The faculty, the 
teacher, is after all the most important factor in a school, 
whether it be a school of science or a school of the 
prophets. 

Our faculties should be composed of persons of the ripest 
scholarship and truest piety who keep abreast of the age. 
But while true scholarship is absolutely necessary in the 
teacher, it is not all that is necessary. Ke must not only 
have knowledge to impart, but must possess the ability to 
create a thirst, a craving for knowledge, to make study a 
pleasure and the class-room redolent with good cheer in the 
pursuit of true learning. The teacher who succeeds in mak- 
ing his pupils conscious that only the foundation of knowl- 
edge is laid, upon which it is theirs to build when dismissed 
from his care, and anxious and resolved to go forward in the 
pursuit, is the true teacher. A few dollars more is but a trifle 
in the salary of such a teacher, as compared with the com- 
pensation of the cheap teacher, whose pupils, on leaving 
school, feel that study is an irksome task, and that the work 
of their intellectual culture is done, and give up steady, vig- 
orous effort for higher and wider knowledge. Too often our 
schools are injured by boards of trustees selecting the 
"cheaper" man as a principle of economy. Let us aim to 
strengthen our teaching forces promptly whenever needed 
with the most efficient men and women who can be secured. 

Although he did not himself enjoy the privilege of a 
scholastic course in a theological school, Union Biblical 



157 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

Seminary found in him a wise, efficient counselor and 
devoted patron. In every way possible he sought to ad- 
vance its interests. His attitude toward this institu- 
tion, and his conception of its relation to the Church, 
are best shown in his own words : 

But I wish to speak of Union Biblical Seminary especially 
in this article, and its important relation to the Church. It 
is the only "school of prophets" we have that is absolutely 
the child of the Church, and for which the General Confer- 
ence makes special provision. Its importance to the Church 
grows out of the fact that in this Seminary the Church is 
concentrating its energies to provide facilities for the spe- 
cial training of its ministers, and for all who may desire to 
give themselves to Church work, for the Spirit of the divine 
Lord is so upon the Church that it has the heart not to be 
content until its Seminary is so thoroughly broad in its 
equipment, and so fitted in every particular as to do all the 
work that falls within the sphere of thorough theological 
training. And, like its Lord, it will ask that its sons and 
daughters tarry at this, its earthly Jerusalem, "until they 
be endowed with power from on high." Ministers thorough- 
ly trained and cultured in their heart-life — by this I mean 
the whole man — is the watchword of our blessed Lord. No 
petition goes up from circuit or station, from synod or 
conference, to bishop or stationing committee, "Send us 
ignorant and uncultured ministers," but the request is ever, 
"Send us an intelligent, cultured, Christian minister." The 
greatest want and demand of our Church to-day is, and it 
is the universal want and demand of every other church 
as well, "a better qualified ministry," a ministry that knows 
more of God, of his Word, and of his works. 

And I would not have any one think that this Seminary 
is a place to secure intellectual culture only. No, no, but 
it is where the true believer is led up by Christian instruct- 
ors into the deep things of God under the divine guidance. 
It is a place for the enriching of the heart-life of those 
whom God calls into the ministry, and who are to assist him 
in a special way in preparing the race for "the new heaven 
and the new earth, in which dwelleth righteousness." 



158 



College President and Educator 

As a scholar and educator, he was interested in every 
department of knowledge, but aside from the Bible, 
which with him was never relegated to a second place 
in thought or practice, his preferences seemed to run to 
archaeology and the classic languages. His interest, in- 
deed, in both of these, was because of the light they 
throw on the Sacred Word. Accounts of discoveries in 
Bible lands absorbed his attention at once, and this 
prepossession enhanced the pleasure and profit of his 
travels in the East. In a communication to the Tele- 
scope on "The Study of Ancient Languages in Relation 
to Religious Truth/' we have the following sentiment: 

But the question is often repeated, "Why study the 
classics when we have them translated into the modern 
tongues?" It is true most of the dead languages (I use the 
form, "dead languages," for the reason I wish to include 
more than the Latin and the Greek) , have been translated 
and commented upon by able critics, yet it is a fact that no 
critic of any note has laid claim to have known all that per- 
tains to those languages. The truth is, much knowledge 
and many facts at the present time are locked up in those 
languages which would throw great light on obscure pas- 
sages of scripture, and not a year passes by but the patient 
plodder, as he pores over the classics of buried nations, 
brings to the surface some new facts and figures which 
strengthen the proofs of revelation. As the hieroglyphics 
on Egyptian temples disclose the history of almost forty 
centuries to a Champollion, Rosellini, and others, they state 
facts relative to the sojourning of the Jews in that country 
which will ever stop the skeptic's mouth concerning the 
antiquity of the Pentateuch and the correctness of its his- 
torical statements in relation to that wonderful people. 
And shall it be regarded as visionary if we express an 
opinion that God has stored away in the records of buried 
nations facts which, in his own good time, are to silence 
forever his enemies in regard to the truth of his Word? 
Is it saying too much when we affirm that the better we 



159 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

understand the languages spoken, both by the Jews and the 
Gentiles, in the age in which God was revealing his will to 
man by his prophets and apostles, the better will we be 
qualified to understand that which has been revealed? It 
was Luther's knowledge of the ancient classics, more per- 
haps (grace excepted) than anything else, that so preemi- 
nently fitted him for the great work to which the Lord 
called him. And did not Christ tell his disciples, "Tarry ye 
in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power 
from on high?" Did not that enduement, at least in part, 
consist in imparting to them a knowledge of the languages 
and the ability to speak them? 

RESOLUTIONS OF SEMINARY FACULTY AND STUDENTS. 

The faculty and students of Union Biblical Sem- 
inary passed the following resolutions at their chapel 
service, the day following his death, which show his re- 
lation to the educational work of the Church : 

We have been greatly shocked and unspeakably saddened 
by the news of Bishop E. B. Kephart's sudden and unex- 
pected death. We recognize that the United Brethren 
Church has hereby lost one of her most faithful and in- 
fluential servants, and the Seminary one of her best friends 
and wisest counselors. 

Our departed bishop has left behind him a fair name and 
an enviable record. For many years he was a progressive 
and aggressive leader in the councils of the General Con- 
ference, in the annual conferences, and in many boards. 
His judgment was solid and calm. He was an excellent 
presiding officer, deliberate, firm, judicious, and masterly in 
parliamentary law. He was practical in his methods, broad 
in his views, generous in his sympathies. The Church is 
greatly indebted to him for his services in the educational 
field, where he labored as president of Western College for 
thirteen years. His counsels in the Board of Directors of 
Union Biblical Seminary were of the most useful character. 
Perhaps no department of Church work had more interest 
for him than the educational work. Very many young peo- 
ple, too, can testify to the inspiration of his advice and en- 



160 



College President and Educator 

couragement in the direction of training themselves in our 
schools for usefulness. 

Bishop Kephart had a warm place in the hearts of the 
faculty and students of this seminary for his kindly and 
helpful interest in the institution, in its work, and in the 
individual persons connected with it. We shall greatly 
miss him and his counsels, which he was accustomed to 
proffer us whenever he visited our halls. We greatly mourn 
his loss. 



11 



161 



"Thou earnest not to thy place by accident, 
It is the very place God meant for thee." 

— Trench. 

"The heights by great men reached and kept, 

Were not attained by sudden flight ; 
But they, while their companions slept, 
Were toiling upward in the night." 

— Longfellow. 

* * * "That temperance and serenity of mind which, as it is 
the ripest fruit of wisdom, is also the sweetest." — James Russell 
Lowell. 



162 



CHAPTEE XII. 



BISHOP, FIRST QUADRENNIUM, 1881-1885. 

In 1881 the General Conference of the Church of the 
United Brethren in Christ was held in Lisbon, Iowa. 
Four years previously it had convened at Westfield, 
Illinois. President Kephart, as an educator, had become 
well known to the representatives of the Church. His 
term in the Senate had then expired, and his influence 
upon legislation, and political prominence, coupled with 
his self-denial and devotion to his Church, made him a 
marked man. His progressive conservatism, his sim- 
plicity, his urbanity, his knowledge of civil and ecclesi- 
astical law, his other natural elements of leadership, 
and his absence of factional alliance, all contributed 
to bring him promptly before his Church for posi- 
tions of trust. He never sought advancement, but when 
called, if possible for him to comply, he considered it the 
call of God, and did not regard himself as having the 
right to decline to take up the duties imposed, or to re- 
sign when once they were assumed. Two questions 
were prominent in the Lisbon General Conference. The 
first was the educational interests of the Church, as is 
shown in the fact that not less than fifty pages of the 
General Conference Minutes of that year, more than 
one-fifth the entire space, are given to reports and dis- 
cussions on this question. E. B. Kephart was a member 



163 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

of the Committee on Education. On page 162, his re- 
marks on the report are recorded, and are noted here : 

"We are now in a period of our educational history 
as a Church when the work is of vital importance ; and 
we are in a period of our history in the educational 
work when there is a crisis pending with reference to 
the financial condition of the institutions of our Church. 
The question is not of so much importance to the 
institutions, as they have existed in the past, as their 
existence in the future, how this crisis is to be met, and 
what will be the result after we have passed it. All be- 
lieve that we have not an institution that is free from 
embarrassment. Different boards have been applying 
different means to meet these liabilities; and for some 
reason there has been a constant accumulation of in- 
debtedness. The work of the schools has been greatly 
crippled by this financial embarrassment, and they are 
not able to do the work that is demanded of them by the 
Church — and not only by the Church, but by the world. 
Some of our young men and women have gone out 
from our schools into other colleges — not because they 
were dissatisfied with the Church or its institutions, as 
far as the management was concerned, but on account 
of the lack of facilities; and when a young man or 
woman comes to a professor and says, 'Are there not 
institutions better arranged and provided than 
yours?' as an honest man, what are you to tell them? 
You must say that there are. They will say, '1 must 
spend time and money where they furnish the best facili- 
ties/ The demand is upon us to meet the indebtedness 
of the institutions; and not only the present indebted- 



164 



Bishop, First Quadrennium, 1881-1885 

ness, but provide means by which these institutions can 
be thoroughly equipped and placed on a level with other 
institutions that are growing up all around us. If this 
is not accomplished, you can infer the result. We have 
an abundance of means. Our Church is not poor; it is 
wealthy. It would not reduce the wealth one iota to 
take the money from the pockets of men who possess it, 
and turn it into the treasury. We have wealthy men, 
and they are generous.' 7 

The other question of chief importance, the one upon 
which existed the greatest difference of opinion, and 
called out the champions in debate, was "pro-rata rep- 
resentation." The reason for the importance of this 
question lay, not so much in itself, as in the fact to 
which all believed it would lead; namely, a change in 
the laws of the Church representing secrecy. 

Prior to 1837, representation in the Church was 
upon the pro-rata plan, but the General Conference of 
1841 had changed this, and all the conferences had the 
same number of representatives, a small conference hav- 
ing as many representatives in the General Conference 
as the larger. This plan had become very unsatisfactory 
to the larger conferences. They felt that it was unequal 
and unfair. Certain anti-secrecy leaders in the Church, 
by marshaling the ambition of the smaller conferences, 
sought to maintain the plan then in vogue, in order 
that it might not become possible to legislate a change 
in the attitude of the Church toward secrecy. The name 
of E. B. Kephart stands as chairman of the Committee 
on Pro-rata Representation and Lay Delegation. The 
committee recommended that the question of lay dele- 



165 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

gation be deferred for the present. On pro-rata repre- 
sentation they recommended : "2. That all conferences 
having less than three thousand members shall be en- 
titled to two delegates. All conferences having three 
thousand, and less than five thousand, shall be entitled 
to three delegates. All conferences having six thousand 
five hundred members shall be entitled to four dele- 
gates." The entire afternoon and night sessions of the 
eleventh day (Tuesday, May 24, 1881) were given to 
the discussion of this report. President Kephart, at the 
close, made a very brief remark, as follows : "The re- 
port, as here presented, was indorsed by all the members 
of the committee except Brother Alwood. I believe the 
paper is right, and it is my deliberate judgment that it 
will go far to bring peace to the Church." The report 
was adopted without amendment, yeas, 60 ; nays, 57. 

President Kephart's position on the secrecy question 
was similar to that of President Lincoln in the Civil 
War with respect to the emancipation of the slaves. 
His aim was to keep in touch with the people, and move 
just as rapidly as public sentiment would justify. With 
respect to the law of the Church, he accepted it tenta- 
tively, only that he might help to change it. He always 
maintained that the law was inconsistent, in that it 
claimed to be the law of a church of Jesus Christ, 
while it closed the door of the Church against some it 
was admitted Christ had received. His attitude with re- 
spect to this principle was not equivocal, but was gen- 
erally known throughout the Church. The "liberals" 
chose him because they regarded him as a safe leader, 
able by his sanity to carry with him the "conservatives." 



166 



Bishop, First Quadrennium, 1881-1885 

By same "radicals" he was regarded as sane and safe 
because of his respect for law. By both sides, however, 
his election was regarded as a decided victory for the 
"liberals." 

These conditions rendered E. B. Kephart a logical 
candidate for the office of bishop. Eev. Miles Rigor, 
at the time of the Bishop's death, wrote that he had 
proposed his name for the office at the Lisbon General 
Conference. The election was held Saturday, May 21. 
J. J. Glossbrenner, Jonathan Weaver, John Dickson, 
Nicholas Castle, and E. B. Kephart were all elected to 
the office of bishop on the first ballot. In the closing- 
hours of the conference, "Bishop Kephart asked the 
prayers of the conference that he might be able to pre- 
serve the honor of the Church which he so much loved." 
In the stationing of the bishops, E. B. Kephart was 
assigned the "Southwest District," including the follow- 
ing conferences: Arkansas Valley, Osage, West Kan- 
sas, Kansas, South Missouri, Missouri, Southern Illi- 
nois, Illinois, Lower Wabash, White River, Indiana, 
Central Illinois, East Des Moines, and East Nebraska. 

To this district he gave his earnest, devoted service, 
and became identified with all its interests. In his re- 
port to the Telescope we find appreciative words for the 
educational institutions, as we would expect, and for 
every evidence of devotion to the Master's cause, and of 
advance in any line of Church work. We also find his 
spirit is deeply grieved at anything, or condition, which 
hinders the Lord's cause and the progress of the Church. 

In an article to the Telescope respecting his confer- 
ences, in 1885, a few passages reflect his quick grasp of 



167 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

conditions, and response to the varying needs of the dif- 
ferent conferences. 

Of White Eiver Conference he writes: "The work 
done by the conference, as shown by the ministers' re- 
ports, was very satisfactory indeed, when contrasted 
with former reports. The session was not only a pleas- 
ant one from a business standpoint, but it was a season 
of religious enjoyment and spiritual growth to God's 
ministers and people." 

In Indiana Conference, he found: "The reports of 
the ministers were quite satisfactory, indicating a 
marked improvement in the business line of doing 
things, as well as showing an increase in membership, 
and an advance in compensation for faithful work 
done." 

In Missouri Conference : "I think not one word was 
uttered during the session that ruffled the feelings of 
any one. The reports of many showed faithful work 
done; and we were grieved that such true men of God 
had not received a better compensation." 

Of East Des Moines, he states : "Discussion among 
brethren for years has obtained in this part of our 
Zion; but God be praised, harmony now prevails, and 
the year closed with an increase in membership and 
some advance in finance. ... It was my good for- 
tune to have my home in a model Christian family dur- 
ing my brief stay at Ainsworth. God bless brother John 
Stone and wife. Their Christian example will remain 
to bless the world when they are in heaven." 

In Illinois Conference his heart was pained: "But 
somehow there is too much evil speaking indulged in by 



168 



Bishop, First Quadreiiiiium, 1881-1885 

the brethren, which is a violation of both God's law and 
our Church laws, to secure the happiest results in our 
Church work. Oh, that God would breathe upon this 
conference the spirit of love, and of true Christian 
charity one for another: then would its wall be salva- 
tion, and its gate praise. Much good work was done 
during the year, and while the chart shows a decrease in 
membership, which grows out of a rigid effort to secure 
correct statistics, some advance in finance in the totals 
is reported. In this conference the Lord has many true- 
hearted and noble-spirited men." 

Passing to Central Illinois Conference, he was great- 
ly cheered: "This was said to be one of the most har- 
monious sessions the conference has had for years. The 
brethren came together in the spirit of our common 
Lord, and the motto of the conference seemed to be, 
Nearer My God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee.' Marked ad- 
vancement was manifest in every department of Church 
work. Old differences were forgotten, and the brethren 
felt that they were one in Christ, and laboring in one 
common cause." 

Lower Wabash Conference met at Westfield, Illinois, 
the seat of Westfield College: "The year has been one 
of peace, and the brethren came to their annual gather- 
ing filled with the Holy Spirit and charity one for an- 
other. The work of the conference was done in har- 
mony, while the blessings of the Lord rested upon his 
people." 

Kansas Conference met in Lecompton : "Here, again, 
the Lord was with his people in great power. Not a 
word was spoken during the session, in so far as I know, 



169 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

to wound the feelings of the most sensitive member of 
the body. The reports of the ministers were promptly 
prepared and passed to the secretary's table, and the 
business moved on in harmony, and with dispatch. The 
reports showed an increase in membership, and some ad- 
vance in ministerial compensation. This conference is 
much encouraged, and its workers go out to their fields 
'like giants filled with new wine.' " 

For Southern Illinois Conference his heart goes out 
in earnest sympathy: "This is a small mission-confer- 
ence, and but meagerly supplied with efficient workers. 
. . . The health of Brother Miller, presiding elder 
elect, is such that he has had to resign, and up to the 
present I have not been able to find a man for the place. 
May the good Lord remember Brother Miller, and re- 
store him to his work." 

West Kansas Conference met in Harlan, where Gould 
College was located. The western part of the confer- 
ence suffered much during the year from drought, and 
many of the members were compelled to leave that 
part of the country, which caused a decrease in mem- 
bership for the year. ... I must express my grati- 
tude to Brother Coder, who took me in his mew top- 
buggy' from Harlan to Salina, a distance of about one 
hundred and twenty miles. True, it rained most of the 
time ; yet the trip was a pleasant one, for Brother Coder 
knows how to make things agreeable, even if it does 
rain. But the good people of Kansas will please not 
tell me any more that 'Kansas don't get muddy.' " 

Of Arkansas Valley Conference he says : "This is a 
young, thrifty conference, and has the great wheat- 



170 



Bishop, First Quadrennium, 1881-1885 

growing district of the State for its territory. Its mem- 
bers are mostly young and energetic. As a rule, they 
are methodical in their business habits, and their work 
moves on very harmoniously. The reports of the min- 
isters were very good, and no conference in the West 
appears to have a brighter future than the Arkansas 
Valley. The religious tone of the sessions was highly 
devotional, and all present realized that the Lord was 
in his temple to comfort and bless his people. ... It 
was my good fortune to share the hospitality of Brother 
Cook and family, members of the Presbyterian Church, 
and as we knelt at the family altar my heart said, 
'There is but one Shepherd, let there be but one fold/ " 

In Osage Conference : "The chart shows an increase 
in membership of more than four hundred, with a cor- 
responding improvement in finance. This conference 
has a pious, self-sacrificing ministry, and the Lord has 
not passed them by during the year just closed. . . . 
Thank God, the brethren of Osage appear to be free 
from low, petty jealousies, and as a result, their work 
moves on harmonious and strong." 

In Southwest Missouri: "The reports show general 
prosperity in almost every department of church work. 
This conference raised just about double its missionary 
debt assessment. This is very commendable indeed, and 
worthy of imitation by the whole Church. Universal 
harmony prevails in this part of our Zion, and God is 
graciously blessing his people." 

In passing from conference to conference, he always 
made it convenient to visit the Church schools. In this 
report he visited Hartsville College, Maringo Academy, 



171 



life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

Avalon College, Westfield College, Lane University, and 
Gonld College. He always sought to impart encour- 
agement and aid whenever possible. An illustration is 
found in this visit to Lane University: "On Saturday 
evening, after a very interesting missionary and educa- 
tional meeting, just before the adjournment President 
Ervin requested me to raise some money for the purpose 
of procuring some much-needed apparatus. I at once 
presented the matter, and after the larger sums were re- 
ceived, then commenced to come the dollars and lesser 
amounts, and for about half an hour it literally rained 
on that rostrum; for the large audience present threw 
the money by the handful at us, much faster than we 
could gather it up. The people of Kansas know how to 
give." 

In 1884, after holding the annual sessions of the con- 
ferences, he made his usual report to the Telescope, which 
sets forth briefly the condition of the field. Of East 
Des Moines he notes : "This conference is moving for- 
ward in the right direction. It is more critical and 
thorough in its examinations, more guarded in authoriz- 
ing men to preach, and requires a high standard of 
ministerial qualification upon the part of those who are 
received into its membership than formerly." He found 
a very general need of men in the great, growing South- 
west over which he presided. 

In closing his statistical report he says : 'Under the 
protection of my Heavenly Father I have met all my 
conferences during the past quadrennium. Many have 
been the blessings bestowed upon me during my labors, 
for which I am grateful to God and my brethren. The 



172 



Bishop, First Quadrennium, 1881-1885 

conditions of the district are in many respects quite sat- 
isfactory. A good revival spirit has pervaded the con- 
ferences, and more than seven thousand souls have been 
brought into the Church during the year. Two things 
are much needed on the district — a deeper piety among 
ministers and people, and more well-qualified men, truly 
consecrated to God, to enter the active work/' 

Many duties of the bishops are incidental. Because 
of their official relation, they are called upon to dedicate 
churches, deliver lectures, make special addresses on 
public occasions, etc. The General Conferences have 
sometimes presented individual protests, desiring the 
bishops to give their time to the weaker churches; but 
they stand in a representative relation, and should be 
granted the greatest freedom in this matter. ISTo man 
should be chosen to this office who cannot be trusted 
to devote his time conscientiously to what he believes 
to be the highest interest of his Church. 

Bishop Kephart always conducted a very heavy cor- 
respondence. All kinds of questions were presented to 
him for decision, — especially pertaining to Church 
laws, — from presiding elders, pastors, and people. 
While he was always glad to render any aid within his 
power, it severely taxed him. 



173 



"New times demand new measures and new men ; 
The world advances, and in time outgrows 
The laws that in our fathers' day were best ; 
And, doubtless, after us, some purer scheme 
Will be shaped out by wiser men than we, 
Made wiser by the steady growth of truth." 

"New occasions teach new duties ; Time makes ancient good un- 
couth ; 

They must upward still and onward, who would keep abreast of 
Truth ; 

Lo, before us gleam her camp-fires ! we ourselves must pilgrims be, 
Launch our Mayflower, and steer boldly through the desperate 
winter sea, 

Nor attempt the Future's portal with the Past's blood-rusted key." 

— Lowell. 



174 



CHAPTER XIII. 



SECOND QUADRENNIUM, REVISION, 1885-1889. 

The Nineteenth General Conference was held in Fos- 
toria, Ohio. At Lisbon, Iowa, four years previous, the 
Church, by a small majority, had declared for pro-rata 
representation. This prepared the way for revision of 
the Constitution and legislation on secrecy. Both "rad- 
icals" and "liberals" so understood, and there was a 
preparation during the quadrennium on both sides for 
what was regarded the inevitable contest at the next 
General Conference. On both sides were able leaders, 
sincere in desiring to promote the kingdom of God in its 
purity. In the main, the differences were of the head 
rather than the heart. On both sides were men who had 
studied the question for years, and discussed it so often 
that they had become "giants" in debate. 

The bishops felt the responsibility heavily, and sought 
in their address to suggest some plan by which peace 
and harmony might be secured. Bishop Kephart wrote 
this address. A note on the original manuscript says 
the part on secrecy and revision was written after much 
meditation and prayer. When he presented it to 
Bishop Weaver, the latter said, in his characteristic, 
familiar way : " 'Kep,' you've got it sure. That's just 
what we want." This plan was incorporated in the 
bishops' address, 1885, and read at the opening of the 
General Conference in Fostoria. Following is the por- 



175 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

tion of the address bearing on this subject : "We need 
not say to your honorable body that the subject of secret 
societies has become a most perplexing one to our Zion. 
This is well known to you all. Also, it is expected of 
you by the people whom you represent, that under the 
blessing of God you will put this subject to rest, and 
bring peace to the Church by wise regulations. To this 
end we recommend: 

"1. In that, as it is admitted that our present Consti- 
tution has not yet been submitted to a vote of the whole 
society, you determine whether the whole subject under 
consideration is or is not in the hands of the General 
Conference. 

"2. Should you determine that it is in your hands, 
then transfer the whole subject from the realm of con- 
stitutional law to the field of legislative enactment, 
which would be to expunge the whole question from the 
Constitution and bring it into the field of legislative en- 
actment, to be handled as the Church, through her rep- 
resentatives, may determine from time to time. 

"3. That you limit the prohibitory feature of your 
enactment to combinations, secret and open, to which 
the Church believes a Christian cannot belong. 

"4. Should you decide that this constitutional ques- 
tion is beyond your control, and in the hands of the 
whole society, then submit the above propositions, prop- 
erly formulated, to a vote of the whole Church, and let 
a two-thirds vote of those voting be the authoritative 
voice of the Church on the subject." 

These recommendations from the bishops' address 
were referred to the "Committee on Constitutions," 



176 




REV. EZEKIEL B. KEPHART 



From a photograph taken soon after he was elected Bishop 
in 1881, by the General Conference held at 
Lisbon, Iowa, May, 1881. 



Second Quadremiium, Revision, 1885-1889 

consisting of thirteen members, who worked "five days 
and five nights" on their report. This committee found 
that the Constitution of the Church had never been 
ratified by a vote of the members, that its legality and 
binding force had always been held in question, that it 
had gained authority only by silent assent, that it was 
out of harmony with the majority of the members, and 
that the Constitution and Confession should be revised 
and submitted to a vote of the people. They therefore 
recommended that a commission of twenty-seven mem- 
bers, consisting of the bishops and members from an- 
nual conferences elected by the General Conference, take 
into consideration the revision of those articles, and pro- 
vide for a popular vote upon the same. They defined a 
secret combination, in the sense of the Consti- 
tution, to mean a secret league or confeder- 
ation of persons holding principles and laws at 
variance with the Word of God, and infringing upon the 
natural, social, political, or religious rights of those out- 
side its pale." Nearly all of two days were given to the 
discussion of this question. The "radicals" predicted 
the most dire calamity to the Church if adopted. On 
the other hand, the "liberals" were convinced that only 
by their adoption could peace come to the Church. At 
some time during the progress of this debate, a "radical" 
came to Bishop Kephart and said: "If this report is 
adopted, a thousand members will leave the Church. 
"Well, my brother," said the Bishop, "if it is not 
adopted a hundred thousand will leave it." It is said 
that this assertion, based upon positive conviction, won 
a vote for the measure. The records of this great debate 



12 



177 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

cover one hundred pages of the General Conference Min- 
utes. 

Before the vote was taken the question was raised as 
to whether the bishops would be excused from voting, 
and the majority seemed to desire their vote. One mem- 
ber suggested that "four years ago they did not vote." 
Bishop Kephart said: "I asked the secretary that my 
name be called, and I voted for pro-rata representa- 
tion." (Eef erring to the vote four years previous.) 

When the Conference voted that the bishops record 
their votes, Bishop Kephart said : "I wish to say that for 
myself, I do not like to be put in this shape, as though 
we were compelled to vote with reference to this ques- 
tion. You cannot put me in any place where I cannot 
rise above every prejudice, and tell what my sentiments 
are." With respect to his public functions, he lived an 
open life, and the Church might know his position. He 
never sacrificed principle to popularity. When his name 
was called, he gave his reason for his position : "Believ- 
ing that this body is not only the legislative department, 
but that this vote is strictly constitutional, and in har- 
mony with the light of an open Bible and the exegencies 
of a dying world, I vote yes." When the vote was an- 
nounced there were 78 yeas and 42 nays. The great 
battle was won by the "liberals." The supplementary 
report on secrecy was carried, 76 yeas to 38 nays. The 
resolution made the bishops members of the Commis- 
sion. His brother, Dr. I. L. Kephart, was elected a 
member from the Pacific Coast District. 

In the election for bishops, Bishop Weaver received 
seventy-five votes, and Bishop Kephart seventy-two, on 



178 



Second Quadrennium, Revision, 1885-1889 

the first ballot. Bishop Castle and Bishop Dickson 
were elected on the second ballot. M. Wright was 
elected Bishop of the Pacific Coast, and D. K. Flick- 
inger was elected Foreign Missionary Bishop. 

Bishop Kephart began the quadrennium on the 
Northwest District. His report is characterized by the 
spirit of hope. He is grieved that the ministers are not 
better paid, hut commends their good cheer and joyful 
service. He never forgot two Church interests which 
were ever dear to his heart: "As an evidence of the 
courage and confidence of these conferences, permit me 
to state that between $25,000 and $30,000 was secured 
to the endowment of Western College during their ses- 
sions, and in addition to this, almost $2,000 for mis- 
sionary purposes." For higher degrees of success, he 
suggests that ministers make a careful study of syste- 
matic business methods, and that the changes in pas- 
torates be less frequent. 

The year 1886-87 he traveled the Southwest District, 
Of the work he says: "The year has been one of toil, 
but in the discharge of duty have come the rich bless- 
ings of a kind Heavenly Father. The work on the dis- 
trict is prosperous." 

The Eastern District was his field for 1887-88, and 
the Ohio District for 1888-89. In his reports he refers 
to differences in some of the conferences on the secrecy 
question which impeded the work, but there is always 
manifest a conservative optimism. He finds the spirit 
of unity greatly strengthened. Two great needs always 
upon his heart are here emphasized ; namely, "A higher 
qualification in our ministry," and "better support for 



179 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

the ministers." These needs have impeded the progress 
of our Church. 

In sentiment Bishop Kephart always favored the ro- 
tation of the bishops. He often said : "The stationing 
plan is better for the bishops, but the rotation plan is 
better for the Church." He sometimes referred to the 
prosperity of the Methodist Episcopal Church as proof 
for his preference. The stationing plan permits the 
bishop to live on his district, and lessens his expense 
and labor, but a higher degree of inspiration, and con- 
sequently greater good to the Church at large, is se- 
cured by having the superintendents rotate. Prolonged 
absences from home always were a sore trial to his do- 
mestic nature, but his thought was for the interests of 
God's kingdom as he understood them. In the General 
Conference of 1889 he gives expression to his views as 
follows : "Brethren, I believe that if you desire the uni- 
fication of the Church, it makes no difference who may 
be your bishops, you will follow the plan that has been 
in operation during the past four years. I am firmly 
convinced that no man, I care not who he is, can serve 
the Church in that relation as he otherwise would serve 
it, if he is not so circumstanced that he can have before 
his eyes the condition of the Church throughout. I am 
sure that the different methods, the different forms of 
worship, and the lack of unity that obtains throughout 
our denomination, have grown out of the old district 
system. ... I am sure, however, that very likely it 
would be more convenient for the men whom you may 
elect to serve on the district, but as I understand the 
matter, brethren, it is not the convenience of the men 



180 



Second Quadrennium, Revision, 1885-1889 

you are to have before your eyes., but it is the good of the 
Church and the glory of God. Hence, I say what I do." 

The Church Commission and its work constituted a 
center of interest for the Church during this quadren- 
nium. The conference had instructed the Commission 
"to complete its work by January 1, 1886." On the call 
of the bishops the Commission met November 17, '85, in 
the city of Dayton, Ohio, twenty-five members being 
present. Bishop Weaver called the Commission to or- 
der, opened with appropriate devotions and an address, 
and they organized for work. The bishops were to pre- 
side in turn, as at General Conferences. Three com- 
mittees were appointed: 1. On Confession of Faith. 2. 
On Constitution. 3. On Plan of Submission to the 
Church. Bishop Kephart and his brother, I. L., were 
both members of the Committee on Constitution. 

"Thus organized, the Commission proceeded to the 
responsible business before it. The sessions continued 
through six days. Ample time was given to the several 
committees to consider the parts of the work allotted 
to them, and the sessions were characterized by much 
earnest attention and a deep sense of the responsibility 
involved. Every feature of the several reports, as re- 
turned by the respective committees, was considered in 
the open session with the utmost scrutiny, so that in 
every particular the best possible results might be 
reached." 

The Confession of Faith formulated and adopted was 
that now in the Book of Discipline. The Constitution 
vests all ecclesiastical power in "the General Conference, 
which shall consist of elders and laymen elected in each 



181 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

annual conference district throughout the Church." 
The provisions of the former General Conference re- 
specting secrecy were incorporated. Amendments to 
the Constitution may originate in any General Confer- 
ence, and must then be submitted to a vote of the peo- 
ple. 

The plan for submission to the Church provided three 
full years for discussion, and every means was used to 
enlighten the people. This period was made an era of 
education in the belief and government of the Church. 
But there was strenuous and organized opposition to 
these instruments, and to their submission to the peo- 
ple. The Christian Conservator, a "radical" weekly pa- 
per in its beginning, had for its object and chief func- 
tion, the defeat of these propositions. The question was 
debated in the annual conferences. The Confession of 
Faith and the Constitution, as revised and amended, 
were subjected to the closest scrutiny from every stand- 
point, and every conceivable form of opposition was set 
up. As far as every agency could be brought to reach 
the people throughout the Church, it was sought to in- 
fluence their minds against the amended instruments, 
so as to bring about their failure by the popular vote. The 
amendments were characterized as revolutionary and 
outrageous, as involving a breach of faith, and the whole 
proceeding was declared unconstitutional and violent, 
and it was sought to persuade the people that if they 
were adopted the Church would no longer be the same 
Church, but would be a new and different body. Not- 
withstanding this opposition, kept up until the vote was 
taken, three years afterwards, the decision of the Church 



182 



Second Quadrennium, Revision, 1885-1889 

was overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying the work of 
the Commission. 

It will be observed that in the public discussion of 
the question Bishop Kephart took no leading part, as 
did Bishop Weaver. It was understood, however, by the 
Church at large, that the discussion was regarding the 
plan of Bishop Kephart, as embodied in the Fostoria 
address. This being the case, he was approached by 
individuals in conversation and letter. The plan of ro- 
tation brought him into contact with the entire Church 
in America, the Pacific Coast excepted. He then had 
abundant opportunity to explain and defend his plan, 
as incorporated in the bishops' address, and worked out 
so carefully by the Commission. Bishops Weaver and 
Kephart thus each supplemented the work of the other. 

The month of November, 1888, was given to the vote 
of the Church on the report of the Commission. The 
total number of votes cast was 54,369. In favor of the 
Confession of Faith, 51,070; of the amended Constitu- 
tion, 50,685. The negative vote is thus seen to be rel- 
atively very small. 



"One who has known in storms to sail, 
I have on board ; 
Above the raging of the gale 
I hear my Lord." 

— Dean of Canterbury. 

"So others shall 
Take patience, labor, to their heart and hand, 
From thy hand and thy heart and thy brave cheer, 
And God's grace fructify through thee to all." 

— Mrs. E. B. Browning. 

" 'T is the weakness in strength, that I cry for ! my flesh, that I 

seek 

In the Godhead ! I seek and I find it. O Saul, it shall be 
A Face like my face that receives thee ; a Man like to me, 
Thou shalt love and be loved by, forever : a Hand like this hand 
Shall throw open the gates of new life to thee ! See the Christ 
stand !" 

— Browning. 



184 



CHAPTER XIV. 



THIRD QUADRENNIUM, 1889-1893. FIRST AND SECOND 

MISSIONARY VISITS TO AFRICA AND GERMANY. 

In 1889 the General Conference met in York, Pa., on 
May 9. Bishop Weaver presided, and Bishop Kephart 
offered prayer. The intense interest of the Church in 
the work of the Commission, nurtured by the educa- 
tional campaign of three years and the vote taken upon 
the adoption of the Confession of Faith and the 
amended Constitution, continued to increase until the 
sitting of the General Conference. The issue influenced 
the election of delegates. The "radicals," knowing that 
they were outvoted, came prepared to use every influence 
possible to induce the General Conference not to ratify 
the work of the Commission. 

The bishops, in their address, felt keenly the respon- 
sibility. Some portions referring to the Commission are 
classic in diction and in balanced, condensed statement. 
The purpose of the Commission is clearly stated : 

"With a view of divesting this subject of all am- 
biguity, extirpating all doubt, and thus to avoid possible 
perplexing difficulties in the future, this whole matter 
was submitted to the Commission, where it found full 
and careful expression, and then went to a vote of the 
Church, with such result as will come to your notice and 
consideration by the official report to be hereafter. 



185 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

"Beloved brethren, this may be the crisis-period in the 
history of the Church. Yon will weigh well what has been 
done. The church of God is your priceless heritage. It 
is the purchase of the precious blood of Christ. As the 
chosen representatives of a Christian people, whose 
views and wishes you are supposed to reflect, you can af- 
ford to bid utter defiance to self and selfish ends. You 
are representatives. The Church of the latter part of 
the nineteenth century has called you to conserve what 
to her is precious and priceless — soundness of doctrine 
and clearness of experience. These preserved, the an- 
cient land-marks still remain. New worlds await your 
conquests, unknown regions await your invasion, if you 
are men of cultured brain and consecrated heart." 

Some closing sentences of the Board of Bishops so 
reflect the spirit of the majority that I quote them: 
"We may be aggressive without being ecclesiastical van- 
dals; we may be conservative without being religious 
bigots." 

"True reformers and true conservatives walk hand 
in hand. Their goal is the same. They differ only in 
method, not in purpose ; in head, not in heart. The one 
is not the enemy of progress, the other is not the enemy 
of conservatism, yet either is liable to so judge the other. 
'Judge not, that ye be not judged.' 

"As ministers, representative men, we can be active 
without becoming bitter partisans, be conservative with- 
out being stoical, and be progressive without being 
fanatical." 

"Your action will be decisive. Well may you tremble 
in the greatness of the work to be done. The voice of 



186 



Third Quadiennium, 1889-1893 

history both warns and cheers. Be cautions, but not 
faltering; brave, but not rash; firm, but not captious. 
The future of this Church, as well as the cause of the 
church in general, will be helped or hindered by what 
we do. 'Quit you like men, be strong.' " 

From the section of the disputed question in the ad- 
dress, Bishop Wright dissented, and had not attached 
his signature. He had also declined to act with the 
Commission, of which he was a member. 

The report of the Commission was read by Eev. W. J. 
Shuey, who stated: "All the separate propositions 
having been adopted by the required two-thirds major- 
ity of all who voted, as formed and recommended by 
your Commission, are become 'The Fundamental Belief 
and Organic Law of the United Brethren in Christ/ " 
The report was referred to a special committee, which 
proposed a resolution to approve and confirm the work 
of the Commission, and that upon the proclamation of 
the bishops, May 13, 1889, these articles should become 
the Fundamental Belief and Organic Law of the 
Church of the United Brethren in Christ. The "rad- 
ical" members earnestly protested against the adoption 
of the recommendation of the committee. The great 
Fostoria debate of four years previous was duplicated. 
When the vote was taken, it stood 110 in favor, to 20 op- 
posed. 

On Monday morning, May 13, Bishop Kephart was 
in the chair, and it fell to his lot to read the proclama- 
tion of the bishops whereby the Church passed from 
the old to the new Confession of Faith and Constitu- 
tion. This proclamation closes as follows: "We do 



187 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

hereby publish and proclaim the document thus voted 
to be the Confession of Faith and Constitution of the 
United Brethren in Christ, and we hereby pass from un- 
der the old and legislate under the amended Constitu- 
tion." The proclamation was signed by Bishops 
Weaver, Dickson, Castle, Kephart, and Flickinger. 
Bishop Wright declined to sign. 

The reading of the proclamation was listened to 
with the most profound interest, and the moment was 
regarded as most significant for the future, and filled 
with awe. Then followed the most tragic scene in the 
history of the Church. Dr. Berger has given a vivid de- 
scription of the event in his Church History: "When 
the reading had been completed, there occurred a scene 
of much interest, of which the official published 'pro- 
ceedings' do not take immediate notice, the occurrence 
not being a part of the regular proceedings of the Con- 
ference. As soon as Bishop Kephart had resumed his 
seat, the bishop whose name was not attached to the 
proclamation, Bishop Wright, with fourteen of the 
twenty who had previously voted against approval, arose 
and left the hall. These fifteen men immediately pro- 
ceeded to the Park Opera House, in the city of York, 
which had been previously secured for the purpose, 
where they assumed to continue the morning session, 
and so on through their several sittings until they fin- 
ally adjourned. They further assumed to be the Gen- 
eral Conference from the beginning, on the 9th day of 
May, and as such, to be the true and only representa- 
tives of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, 
and that the General Conference from which they had 



188 



Third Quadrennium, 1889-1893 

withdrawn was not the General Conference of the 
Church. As their number was only fifteen, and the 
number of annual conferences which they assumed to 
represent was forty-nine, they proceeded to fill vacan- 
cies with such persons as were present until their num- 
ber was increased to about thirty. Upon the assump- 
tion that they were the true General Conference of the 
Church, they elected persons to fill the general offices 
of the Church, as bishops, editors, publishing agent, 
missionary and other secretaries and treasurers, and the 
various Church boards. They proceeded upon the very 
extraordinary presumption that the one hundred and 
sixteen members, including the five bishops, who con- 
tinued in their seats, and in the proper and orderly dis- 
charge of their duties, constituted no longer the General 
Conference of the Church, but had, by placing their seal 
of approval upon the various revisionary and amend- 
atory steps, including the nearly unanimous vote of the 
Church, and that henceforth all their transactions pos- 
sessed no longer any validity or binding power." 

On the next day the seceding members were declared 
by resolution to have withdrawn irregularly from the 
General Conference and Church of the United Brethren 
in Christ, and therefore to be no longer members. 

Thus ended the great conflict which was fought out 
on the line of the bishops' address, devised and written 
by Bishop Kephart four years before, and incorporated 
in the work of the Commission. It resulted in remov- 
ing the shackles of an outgrown, unchangeable consti- 
tution, containing requirements contrary to the will of 
God, making it necessary to close the door of the Church 



189 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

against many whom Christ had received. This was the 
emancipation proclamation for the Church of the 
United Brethren in Christ. While deep sorrow filled 
many hearts because of the brethren who had with- 
drawn., all who remained felt that now they could 
preach the gospel of Christ untrammeled, and hence 
with hope they turned their faces to the future, experi- 
encing the sentiment of Lowell: 

"New occasions make new duties; Time makes ancient good 
uncouth; 

They must upward still, and onward, who would keep 
abreast of Truth; 

Lo, before us gleam the camp-fires! we ourselves must pil- 
grims be, 

Launch our Mayflower, and steer boldly through the des- 
perate winter sea, 

Nor attempt the Future's portals with the Past's blood- 
rusted key." 

The sentiments of Bishop Kephart on this whole 
question were well expressed in an article in the Tele- 
scope, February 1, 1899 : 

Years ago, when in Iowa, when our Church trouble 
began to arise, while in company with a good man, who 
was a little inclined to live in the grave "with the 
fathers," I ventured to say to him, speaking on the 
secrecy question, "The Church will not be able to fight it 
out on this line." He asked why. I replied, "Because 
our position is at war with the common sense of man- 
kind; for we believe that a man can belong to some 
secret societies, at least, as well as to some open societies, 
and be a Christian, and that is all that God and reason- 
able men require on this subject." "Ah," said he, "I see 
you do not understand it; there is no sin in belonging to 
a secret society, but the sin is in belonging to a secret 
society contrary to our law." I replied, "Well, then, 



190 



Third Quadrennium, 1889-1893 

according to your own theory, repeal the law and you 
will have no sinners." But no, it was much better to 
have the "sinners" than to touch the "sacred law of a 
previous generation." 

If, by lifting up my finger, I could bind on all the gen- 
erations yet to be my peculiar views of the government of 
church and state, and how it ought to be, and how the 
church services should be conducted, I would not do it. 
I want all who come after me to be just as free as I have 
been, and I am sure this will secure the highest good. 
There has been but one man of our race who could dic- 
tate to the ages, and say, "I am the truth and the way." 
He was the "faultless Man." Always up with the "pro- 
cessions." He was not wedded to the buried past, but 
said he would "make all things new." The future is 
bright, and heaven has no place for the criticizing, fault- 
finding grumbler. 

Bishops Weaver, Castle, Kephart, and Dickson were 
reelected on the first ballot. Dr. J. W. Hott was chosen 
Bishop of the Pacific Coast. Dr. I. L. Kephart was 
elected editor of the Telescope, to succeed Bishop Hott. 
It was decided that the bishops east of the Eocky Moun- 
tains should rotate as the previous quadrennium. No 
foreign missionary bishop was elected, but it was recom- 
mended that "one of the bishops, as the Board of Bish- 
ops may elect, visit our foreign fields at least twice dur- 
ing the quadrennium/' At the meeting of the Board of 
Bishops, the lot to fulfil this provision fell upon Bishop 
Kephart. 

The first year of this quadrennium he served in the 
Southwest District. In some conferences throughout the 
Church, the opposition of the seceders made the work 
perplexing. Of his spring conferences, the Arkansas 
Valley and East Nebraska, he says: "These two con- 
ferences are but little affected by the seceders, only a few 



191 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

of the elderly and ineffective men going off. May God 
open their eyes." 

"The writer was placed under many obligations by a 
most beautiful gift in the form of a silk quilt, from the 
sisters of Arkansas Valley Conference." This was an 
autograph quilt of rich design, and containing much 
skillful needlework, with a beautiful silk lace border. It 
is in the possession of Mrs. Kephart, who prizes it 
highly. 

The year 1890 he traveled the Northwest District. In 
his report he says : 

"The struggles of life, although sometimes severe, are 
not objects of regret when passed, if the end sought is fair 
and worthy. The conferences in the northwest for 1890 
are closed; and, notwithstanding their sessions involved 
much travel, anxiety, and many weary hours, yet we 
have no regrets for the labor done, nor heartaches for 
struggles that are behind us. The sessions held, ten in 
number, were the most pleasant conference sessions that 
have passed under my eye since I have been on the 
Board of Bishops. I have not a recollection of one un- 
kind word having been spoken, or a single act per- 
formed out of accord with Christian character, in any 
one of these conferences; but perfect unity and peace 
obtained among the brethren, and the graces of the 
Spirit, like dews, were distilled upon .the religious ser- 
vices." 

Michigan Conference was among those suffering from 
the seceders. Eeferring to this matter, he says: "Un- 
der the blessing of God this conference will in the near 
future have regained all that is lost by the unadvised 



192 




BISHOP EZEKIEL B. KEPBART 

From a photograph shoiuing the Bishop in his home life. 
This was his first grandchild, the son of 
Prof, and Mrs. L. F. John. The 
portrait was taken in 1891. 



Third Quadrennium, 1889-1893 

and misguided leadership of a few brethren." Of St. 
Joseph Conference: "This conference is wise enough 
not to be constantly changing her competent, qualified 
men to accommodate or make a place for incompetent, 
unqualified men, to the detriment of the Church and 
the cause of God. As a result, it has greater prosperity, 
and a ministry of which it need not be ashamed, rightly 
dividing the word of truth. St. Joseph Conference 
is very guarded in receiving men into the ministry ; and, 
when admitted, it is faithful in requiring all licentiates 
to come up to the full measure of disciplinary require- 
ments in the course of reading, which is most commend- 
able in a conference." 

Of Eock Eiver Conference he writes : Unfortunate- 
ly the withering blight of dissension has rested upon it 
more than twenty years, and greatly retarded its growth. 
But, thank God, its sky is again ' becoming clear, and 
prospects of a brighter day are dawning. My convic- 
tion is that a little more of positiveness on the part of 
some of its leaders against the seceding element which 
obtains in some parts of the territory would be most 
healthful and helpful to the cause of God throughout 
its bounds." 

Of West Nebraska he writes : "This conference is 
alive to the educational work of the Church, and has 
finally identified itself with York College." In sum- 
ming up his report, he makes three suggestions for the 
future : 

fc What would be helpful in the future? 1. Greater 
care should be taken in receiving persons into the minis- 
try. In not a few of the conferences already the in- 



13 



193 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

effective force is equal to or outnumbers the effective. 
To receive men into the annual conference simply that 
they may have authority to solemnize the marriage con- 
tract (and this is often urged ), is an abuse of the sacred 
office. 2. Ministers who habitually fail in building up 
their charges, and report only blanks to their confer- 
ences, should be retired to the local list, and the yearly 
changes of successful men to make place for the in- 
efficient and unsuccessful should forever cease among 
us. 3. Better salaries should be paid, and must be, to 
our devoted ministry, in order that the work of deple- 
tion may cease from our ministerial ranks. This will 
secure to the Church a better qualified ministry, a thing 
much needed at the present hour. 4. Throughout the 
borders of our Zion let the young be organized into the 
Y. P. C. U. This is a strong arm in the work of the 
Lord. Let us use it." 

As a traveler he was a careful, painstaking observer, 
and the things to which he gave his attention were 
taken into a personal relation with himself, and hence 
have an interest to all who knew him. On this account 
the reader will be pleased to look into this diary, and in 
spirit accompany the Bishop in his episcopal visit to 
Africa and Europe. The only way most of us will ever 
have the opportunity of visiting these lands will be in 
imagination, and it will be a privilege to have such a 
one conduct our biographical party. 

The abbreviations and condensation of the diary will 
be readily understood by the reader. Mr. Perry, his 
companion to Harrisburg, mentioned in the beginning, 
was a very old man traveling in the care of the Bishop. 



194 



Third Quadrennium, 1889-1893 

Eev. Mr. Miller and wife were missionaries under ap- 
pointment to Africa. 

"I left my home in Toledo, Iowa, on the evening of 
the 16th of November, at 10 :50 p. M., my two daugh- 
ters and son-in-law accompanying me to Tama City, 
where I took the C. & N. W. E. R., at 11 :55 p. m., for 
Chicago, and from thence to Dayton, Ohio, where I ar- 
rived at 6 :03 P. M., Nov. 17th. (Mr. A. Perry accom- 
panied me to Harrisburg, Pa. He had three coats on, 
two of his own, and by mistake got on Prof. A. W. 
Drury's in addition.) From Dayton I went direct to 
New York via the Panhandle ronte, on the 18th inst., 
where I arrived at 8 A. M. on the 19th, and on the 20th 
set sail for Glasgow on the State steamer, Georgia. 
The morning was beautiful, except the wind was high 
and the sea quite rough. There were on board not 
more than forty-five passengers in all. Miles, 270. 

"Nov. 21. — The day has been cold and rough. The 
majority of the passengers are seasick. I have been 
somewhat sick, so much so that if I had the power, I 
would knock the bottom out of the Atlantic Ocean and 
let in dry land inside of five minutes. And, by the way, 
I am just getting sick again — Neptune must be obeyed, 
and I will have to sacrifice. But God is good to his 
people, and his presence is with me. The sea-gulls and 
water are all that we can see, except a porpoise leaping 
from the water occasionally. So ends the day. No. 
miles, 272." 

(Bishop Kephart was an excellent seaman, never con- 
fined to his bed by seasickness. Sometimes he was al- 
most the only passenger on board able to come to the 



195 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 



table at meal-time. Those who endured the prolonged 
agony, when they learned of his experience, were ac- 
customed to say, "Oh. you were never seasick at all." 
Accepting the statement of those who knew, and espe- 
cially of old captains in whom he had great confidence, 
he was accustomed to say that he never had been sea- 
sick.) 

"Nov. 22 — The day has been quite calm, but most of 
the time cloudy. But little seasickness among the pas- 
sengers, except Brother and Sister Miller. We passed 
three steamers during last night, bound for Xew York. 
The sea-gulls, like flocks of evil birds, fly about the ship. 
No. miles, 285. 

"Nov. 23. — This is Sabbath: the day is beautiful, 
but the waves of the ocean are as mountains compared 
with anything we have yet seen. Our rate of sailing is 
about twelve knots an hour. We are off the coast of 
Newfoundland, and will soon strike what are called the 
'banks.' Some of the passengers are yet sick from the 
effects of the exceedingly rough sea on the night 
of the 2 2d. Brother and Sister Miller are sick yet. 
I am well, and in favor with God. We have seen 
the spouting of some eight or ten whales. One made 
his appearance not more than fifty yards from the 
ship. He was a huge monster, and dark in color. The 
ocean here is white with sea-gulls, which follow the ship 
continually. This afternoon and evening we have head 
wind, and the sails are all taken down. This Sabbath 
evening I anew dedicate and consecrate myself to my 
God and his righteous cause, thus : My soul, my body, 
my time, my talents, all my worldly possessions — my 



196 



Third Quadrennium, 1889-1893 

wife, my children, and my all, to thee my God and Sav- 
ior, forever and to his glory. Amen. We saw two small 
fishing yachts off Newfoundland. No. miles, 265. 

"Nov. 24. — This has been a very dreary day. A dense 
fog has hnng over the ocean most of the day, and fre- 
quently the rain fell in abundance. The wind has been 
favorable, but cold, and the sun has been hidden from 
view all day. Some of the passengers are yet seasick. 
Brother and Sister Miller are among the number. God 
has been good to me. No. miles, 288. 

"Nov. 25. — The morning is clear and cold — the sea 
is quite calm. Nothing of interest transpired during 
the day, until in the afternoon, one of the firemen of 
the ship died. He was a Scotchman ; died of pneumonia 
— leaves a wife and six children. He was working his 
passage homeward from New York when death overtook 
him. He will be buried at sea to-morrow, 10 A. M. 
To-night the sea is very rough, the waves rolling over 
the ship, and everything cracking and snapping as if she 
would go to pieces at once ; yet there is no storm, but we 
have struck the Gulf Stream, and there must have been 
great wind toward the north; the waves are like moun- 
tains, and strike us on the left side. Miles, 278. 

"Nov. 26. — This is a good morning at sea — the waves 
are at rest, and the smoothest sea we have yet had. It is 
10 a. m., and we are all on deck to witness the burial of 
the poor man who died yesterday. He is in his box, and 
that placed on a board, so that it can be slipped into the 
sea when the signal is given. The old sea-captain is 
now reading the burial service. It is impressive and 
strictly Christian. The "English Jack" is at half-mast, 



197 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

the bells are now tolling, the ceremony is ended, the sig- 
nal, which is f Amen/ is given, — plunge goes the corpse 
into the bine waters. Wind is from the northeast, and 
all the sails are down. The night is pleasant and the 
sea is calm. Miles, 271. 

"Nov. 27. — The day has been quite unpleasant; head 
wind all the time for the past thirty-six hours. We 
passed one sailing-vessel this afternoon. We are now 
about 900 miles from Glasgow. Sister Miller is yet sick, 
but improving. Miller is about well. My health is 
good. The sea is growing rough, and the ship is begin- 
ning to roll. It is 7 :20 p. M. Miles, 282. 

"Nov. 28. — The day has been one of the most un- 
pleasant since we left New York. The sky has been 
black with clouds all the day, and a storm is raging — 
growing worse every hour. The sea is wild and most 
terribly sublime. Many are seasick; Brother and Sister 
Miller are in bed sick. The storm is favorable to us. 
No. of miles, 290. 

"Nov. 29. — The storm is still raging; it is the rough- 
est we have yet experienced. It is now 7 :04 p. m., and 
the sea is awful — so we, who are not accustomed to the 
sea, think. We are now 250 miles from Moville, Ireland, 
and will reach that point to-morrow evening if all is 
well. The Lord is good, and blessed be his holy name 
forever. Amen. No. miles, 290. 

"Nov. 30. — The day was very dark and stormy, and 
at nightfall the captain stopped the boat, believing that 
he was not far from land. At 7 A. M. I was waited upon 
by a party of ladies, to see if I would not preach; I 
consented. Text, Luke 8:18; Heb. 2 : 3. The Lord 



198 



Third Quadrennium, 1889-1893 

blessed this sermon to the edification of the hearers. At 
9 p. m. the fog lifted and the moon shone ont ; the cap- 
tain took his bearing, and we started for Moville ; at 10 
p. M. we saw the lighthouse. We are all happy, and 
stayed up until two o'clock in the morning. 

"Dec. 1. — The day was quite pleasant, and we had a 
beautiful view of the coast of Ireland and the Scottish 
highlands along the beautiful Clyde. Alien Cragg, 
mentioned by Burns, is a round, high rock on the Irish 
Sea, on the top of which is a fresh-water spring. The 
Holy Isle is mountainous on the Scotch side — height 
400 feet. Goat Fell, cr Hill of the Wind, on the Isle of 
Aran, is 3,500 feet high. We landed at Glasgow a few 
minutes before 3 p. m v having been almost twelve days. 
The trip was a hard one, and will be ever remembered. 
We are now roomed in the Koch Burn Hotel, Welling- 
ton Street, Glasgow, Scotland. 

"Dec. 2. — The day was rainy, and Glasgow was en- 
veloped in a dense fog. I visited the old cathedral, in 
which Mary Queen of Scots, used to worship. It was 
built by the Catholics in the year 1175. The foundation 
was laid in 1124. It stands on the site of the little old 
church built by St. Mingo, about the year 560. The old 
well from which St. Mingo drew water, which is now in 
the cathedral, was dug about the year 500. This cathe- 
dral is the finest of its kind in the United Kingdom of 
Great Britain. I also visited the necropolis, which is 
just east of the cathedral, and one of the most lofty 
spots about the city. The 'Bridge of Sighs' spans a 
deep glen which lies between the cathedral and the ne- 
cropolis. As I walked over this ground I thought of 



199 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

the many fierce battles which it had sustained, and the 
bitter religious persecution it had witnessed. The mon- 
ument of John Knox occupies the most conspicuous 
place in the city of the mighty. I looked upon the mon- 
ument, also, of Alexander Kennedy, and his martyr 
companion, both young, who suffered death for the 
truth's sake in the year 1530, or about that time, in old 
Glasgow. I also walked on the "Bell of the Brae," 
where Sir William Wallace in 1300 defeated twice the 
English army, and clove the head of Lord Percy with 
his huge sword. Glasgow is now a city of 700,000 in- 
habitants. 

"Dec. 3. — We left Glasgow this morning at 10 :25, 
and arrived in Liverpool at 4:45 p. M. The day has 
been damp and cold. We came via Midland K. R. The 
mountains in many places were sparsely covered with 
snow. The country is picturesque and beautiful, much 
of it in a high state of cultivation. In Scotland the 
finest of sheep abound, and the turnip is produced in 
great abundance, on which the sheep for the market are 
largely fed. The whole country by the railroad seemed 
to be taken up with turnip raising and grass. 

"Dec. 4. — The day is rather pleasant. We have taken 
lodging at the Lawrence Hotel — it is a temperance 
house. We have been to the agent of the African Steam- 
ship Company and engaged passage for Sierra Leone, 
for which I paid $18.10. We will sail on the 6th inst., 
on the Yoruba. Its capacity is 22,500. I have vis- 
ited different parts of the city, and found it to be 
strictly American. 

"Dec. 5. — I have spent the day in Manchester. Man- 
chester is the metropolis of the north of England, the 

200 



Third Quadrennium, 1889-1893 

greatest manufacturing district in the world. It has 
a population of about 400,000. I visited Arwick Green 
and its museum. The park is small, but well cared for. 
I also visited Alexandra Park. It is beautiful, and a 
model of taste. I also visited the great cathedral — it is 
immense, and grand. I returned to Liverpool this even- 
ing and visited the Museum of Art. It is very fine in- 
deed. Had May only been with me ! 

"Dec. 6. — The day was pleasant, except a little cold. 
Did not sail as had expected, but will sail on to-morrow 
at 10 a. m. Visited Sefton Park, one of the principal 
parks of the city. It is well arranged and properly 
cared for, yet it does not compare with Central Park of 
New York, and some of the parks about Chicago. Also 
visited the Walker Museum. Here is quite a fine col- 
lection of specimens from the different sections of the 
globe. The specimens are quite well arranged, and 
properly marked. Visited different sections of the city, 
and find the people as a rule cultured and intelligent. I 
did not hear an oath while in England and Scotland; 
but I saw poverty and wretchedness, and the effects of 
sin in both. This evening I spent at the hotel reading 
and writing. 

"Dec. 7. — This is the Sabbath, and the morning is 
bright. We sailed at 10 a. m. We sailed down the 
Mersey Eiver out into the Irish Sea. The day is quite 
cold, we have no fire in the cabin, and it is very un- 
comfortable, but the sea is smooth, and no one seasick. 
We expect to land in Freetown, West Africa, on the 
22d inst. I wrote a letter to Susie, and sent it by the 
pilot. We have on board the Yoruba about twelve pas- 



201 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

sengers. The ship is clean, and the boarding good. Its 
chief cargo is rum and powder, the one to raise the 
devil, the other to down him. I conducted religions 
services this evening — the Episcopal high church ser- 
vice. 

"Dec. 8. — The day has been pleasant, but too cold 
for comfort. We are now in St. George Channel, and 
sailing at the rate of ten knots an hour. We have taken 
the last look at the south coast of Ireland, and will not 
see land again until we reach the Maderia Islands. Mrs. 
Miller is sick, although the sea is calm. 

"Dec. 9. — The day was clear and pleasant, the sea 
calm, and we were in the Bay of Biscay. The porpoises 
were jumping out of the water almost constantly. We 
saw quite a number of ships, but could not tell their 
contemplated destination. Nothing of interest occurred 
during the day, except a sailor climbing a wire rope al- 
most to the top of the mast. 

"Dec. 10. — This has been a remarkably pleasant day, 
with but little wind. Nothing whatever of interest oc- 
curred during the day except Brother and Sister Miller 
are seasick — seasickness knocks the bottom out of a 
person inside of five minutes. The next popular work 
of the day issued will be Miller on Seasickness and Chil- 
blains. 

"Dec. 11. — The day is clear, but the sea rough and 
most of the passengers seasick. I have stood it as usual. 
Brother and Sister Miller have been sick all day, as 
usual — have pretty good appetites, however, which is 
peculiar to seasickness, I am told. Passed one or two 
ships. Surely this is a very tedious voyage, and the ac- 



202 



Third Quadreiinium, 1889-1893 

commodations are quite poor. I would rather live on 
dry bread at home than have the best they have on the 
ship. The cooking is miserable. 

"Dec. 12. — The day has been exceedingly pleasant 
most of the time. Had a shower of rain. Saw two 
steamers. Passed the place 100 miles to the southwest, 
where the Serpent, a British man-of-war, went down on 
the rocks a fortnight ago; 150 men on board, and all 
were lost except two or three. Cause, a reef of iron ore 
off the coast of Spain affected the compass and deceived 
the captain. 

"Dec. 13.— The day was pleasant. Nothing of spe- 
cial interest occurred. Had a Bible-reading in Brother 
Miller's room in the evening." 

This first visit to the Maderia Islands was of pe- 
culiar interest to him, and is described in a letter to the 
Telescope, which is dated December 15, 1890: 

We landed at Funchal, Maderia, on the 14th inst., at 4:30 
p. m. I say we, because Brother and Sister Miller are with 
me. A Rev. W. Smart, a missionary to this island from 
England, met us on landing, whom Brother Miller and his 
wife accompanied to his home, while I went with Lord 
Regan, by special invitation, to the Santa Clara Hotel, and 
dined with him. He was a passenger on board the ship, 
and much of a gentleman. After dinner, which was served 
at 7 p. m., I was called on by Rev. Mr. Smart, and conducted 
a special religious service at the mission-home, and shared 
the hospitality of Brother and Sister Smart during the 
night. The mission is undenominational, and is largely 
supported by contributions from England and Scotland. 
This little archipelago, of which Maderia is the chief island 
of the volcanic group, is an African province of Portugal, 
and situated in north latitude 52° 4', and west longitude 
17°, distant from the nearest African coast 320 miles. It 
is about fifty miles long and twenty miles across. The 



203 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 



group seems to have been known to the ancients. Pliny 
mentions it under the name of Purple Islands; but the au- 
thentic discovery of Maderia was by Bargo, a Portuguese 
traveler, in an expedition organized by Prince Henry, the 
navigator, in 1418. Porto Santo has a population of 6,000. 
Here on this little island Christopher Columbus studied 
navigation, and had his first dream of a new world. Here 
he won the heart of Perestrello's daughter, and married 
her while Perestrello was governor of these islands. Ma- 
deria has a population of 106,000, while Funchal, its chief 
city, has a population of 21,000. The third island in the 
group is Desestas. Men do not inhabit this island, but it 
abounds in rabbits and wild goats, and is a place for sport- 
ing. The products of the island are various — chiefly fruit- 
growing, the principal products being the grape, the orange, 
the fig, the banana, apple, and pear, together with an al- 
most endless variety of sub-tropical vegetables. The climate 
is delightful. A Maderia summer is a season of unceasing 
delights; indeed, this may be said of the whole year, 
notwithstanding the mountain regions partake somewhat of 
a northern climate. The beast of burden is the ox. The 
vehicle used is a kind of sled. I took a ride on one of these 
sleds. Brother and Sister Miller and myself got into one, 
and were hauled up the mountain to the height of about 
2,500 feet by a yoke of oxen, where we visited the Church 
of the Mount (Catholic). We were an hour and a half 
making the ascent, and about fifteen minutes making the 
descent. Coming down is on the principle of the tobog- 
gan, conducted by two men who, with ropes attached, run 
side by side. It is a fearful ride. Every foot of the road is 
most carefully paved with small pebbles or small water 
moonstones, and the driver carries in his hand a greased 
cloth or rag in the form of a small sack. This he throws 
in a position so that the runner of the sled passes over it, 
and thus he greases the soles of the sled, and it slips like 
fury over the stones. Here is where they go sleighing 
while the "sun shines." The streets of Maderia are very 
narrow and crooked, but are most carefully and neatly 
paved with large pebbles, while the side-walks are beauti- 
fully paved with small pebbles. These streets are clean as 
a new pin, being regularly swept most of the year. They 



204 



Third Quadrenniam, 1889-1893 



are either lined with houses, jutting on the streets, or high 
walls tower on either side. Clear, bright water from the 
mountain rushes down the streets in a kind of groove 
formed on each side. Here the women come to do their 
washing. I saw quite a number of them engaged in wash- 
ing in these beautiful rills, the wash-board being a flat 
stone. The people as a rule are both ignorant and poor. 
The Roman Catholic is the state religion, but there is a 
general toleration of other forms. Superstition is very 
marked among the masses. There is a strong superstition 
connected with the Church of the Mount, which I visited. 
When Maderia seamen are overtaken in a storm at sea they 
make pledges to the Holy Virgin, who is especially repre- 
sented in the church, to make offerings to her if she will 
bring them to their homes in safety. The offerings consist 
in illuminating the streets of the city on which the church 
stands, and in many foolish ways, such as by fire-works, 
and the like, at an expense sometimes of $300 to $400. Sin 
abounds among the people and priests alike; but God is 
not without his witnesses even here. Protestantism is rep- 
resented by the Church of England, the Free Church of 
Scotland, and the free mission of Rev. Mr. Smart. Brother 
Smart says the work goes slowly, but it is nevertheless 
moving. He is a most worthy Christian man." 

His impressions of Africa, and the account of his 

work, may be gleaned from his letters, written while 

there : 

The task of going up and down these African rivers in a 
row-boat, amid the mangrove forests, enveloped in mias- 
matic poisons, can only be appreciated by those who have 
had the experience. At the stations visited, while I made 
many observations, I shall only mention a few in this 
letter: 

1. The people at all the places of worship were remark- 
ably attentive and anxious to hear the word of life. At 
least on three occasions, after talking to these poor, des- 
titute heathen, where scarcely more than half of them 
were clad, when closing my remarks I asked that as many 
as were now willing and ready to accept Christ and aban- 
don every sinful practice should so indicate by raising 



205 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

their hands, every person present, regardless of age, lifted 
the hand, and the great tears rolled down many cheeks. 

2. The people here are not wild and demonstrative in 
their religious worship, but are very fervent in their 
prayers; and they weep like children while relating their 
religious experience. 

I have visited many places of worship in Africa; but I 
have not found one that was other than clean as a new pin. 
In this respect I was much surprised and pleasantly dis- 
appointed. These people, although they worship God in 
humble temples, have a keen sense of the propriety of 
having their temples neat and clean. In this way they are 
to be highly commended. 

But it is well called the dark continent. The raven wing 
of sin's black night is upon this people in its most hideous 
form — cannibalism is right here among the people. Not 
ten days ago I spent a part of the night with five natives 
in a boat-shed where, less than six months before a native 
boy was captured, killed, and eaten by African cannibals. 
Only a short distance from the same place, within the past 
four months, another person was killed and eaten in whole 
or in part. Much of this cannibalism has been practised 
in this and adjoining communities within the past year. 
The penalty for this crime among the natives is burning. 
Not less than fifty persons have been burned to death for 
the crime of cannibalism within the past year in this and 
adjoining communities. Polygamy is rife among the peo- 
ple, together with all its blighting effects upon society. The 
poor African worships almost anything. He has a vivid 
imagination, and he sees either a god or a devil wherever 
he looks. But he is sick of his fallen life, and grasps eagerly 
after the truths of Christianity. He is anxious to be taught 
a better way. Let me say to those who may chance to 
read this letter, it is not those who pay the money to send 
the gospel who make the sacrifice, if sacrifice there be, but 
it is the missionary who brings the word of life to the peo- 
ple, and who lives, and labors, sometimes amid almost in- 
conceivable privation, away from family, friends, home, 
and country. These, yes, these are the men and women 
who make sacrifices for Christ's sake and for the salvation 
of the heathen. 



206 



Third Quadreiinium, 1889-1893 

I have just reached Rotifunk and find all the folks well. I 
begin to feel that it is about time for me to get away from 
these rivers and swamps and strike the frost line. 

The reports from the different charges showed faithful- 
ness of the workers, and from every field the cry comes, 
"Send us more of the bread and the water of life." Also 
from many of the charges came the statement, "Our people 
are beginning to see the necessity of helping themselves 
in the way of repairing their parsonages," for such they 
are, "and their houses of worship," and to assist in defray- 
ing church expenses. With a view to this the conference 
agreed to raise one shilling per member and seeker through- 
out the conference the coming year, and they will do it. 
The spiritual status of the Church here is good, very good. 
I am a little surprised in finding the native African so lit- 
tle demonstrative as he is in his worship. I have been en- 
gaged here in conducting church services, where, from the 
king to the child of six years, scarcely was there a dry eye 
in the congregation, but no further demonstration of ex- 
citement except the suppressed, "Praise the Lord!" "Glory 
to God!" 

Now, as to the native preachers: I think I never had so 
keen an appreciation of what Jesus Christ is to the world 
as when I met our native African preachers in a body in 
conference session at Rotifunk. I had just been up the 
river, where I came in contact with the native Afri- 
can in his wretchedness, and life of sin and shame. What 
a contrast! The preachers were of the same race, were 
born heathen, but now are "clothed in their right minds." 
These men are educated, cultured, and well dressed. They 
are gentlemanly in their bearing, unobtrusive, and every 
man that spoke seemed to say just the right thing, at the 
proper time, and in the right way. 

At the Sabbath morning services of the conference, Sis- 
ters West, Williams, and Groenendyke, and Brothers Miller 
and Morrison were ordained to elders' orders. The ser- 
vices were very interesting and impressive. On this occa- 
sion I had two interpreters, one in Temni, and the other in 
Mendi, and I confess it is no easy task to preach to a peo- 
ple through one interpreter, much less by the aid of two — 
but sometimes we have to be "all things to all people." 



207 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

The conference sessions having closed, I left Rotifunk on 
the evening of the 27th, to visit the missions on the Cock- 
boro River and tributary streams. I found the work at 
Mokobo, Mambo, and Mattakong in a good, healthy condi- 
tion. The work at Mo Fuss has not yet recovered from the 
shock of the William Caulker war, but the mission build- 
ings are now being repaired, and the station will take on 
new life. During my visit to Mokobo I had the satisfaction 
of baptizing the head woman of the town, Yassie Yankin, 
or Mama Yubo, as she is sometimes called. She is more 
than ninety years old — a long life spent in the darkest 
night of heathenism. Her language was, "I give up all for 
Christ's sake, who gave himself for me." As she removed 
the cap from off her head, and my eyes fell on her gray and 
withered locks, I thought of the words of the poet, "I am 
coming to the cross, I am poor, and weak, and blind." You 
should have seen the tears rain down her poor, old, swarthy 
cheeks as she received Christian baptism. 

On our way, between Mattakong and Mokobo, we stopped 
at an ancient place of devil worship. It is a rocky glen on 
the banks of the Cockboro. Quite a number of deep, 
dark caverns obtain here in these rocks. Being a little 
curious to see and know, I crept down into and out of some 
of these caverns. The gloom was intense, and doubtless at 
some remote period in the past this gorge must have re- 
sembled "Dante's Inferno," for the rocks are all volcanic. 
But the fires have long since gone out, and the altar is now 
without a sacrifice. I am bringing with me, for the cabinet 
of Western College, a piece of this old stone altar. How 
many poor, human victims were offered up here as a sacri- 
fice Heaven's record only can report, but doubtless many, 
many, in the long years that have sped. As I stood and 
looked upon the altar, and remembered the untold suffering 
it had witnessed, and the sin and the shame that had there 
transpired in the name of religion, my charity for Cortez, 
the destroyer of the empire of the Montezumas, was stirred. 
I said, No wonder that the brave Spaniard, after beholding 
the beautiful exterior of the great temple in the ancient 
City of Mexico, and on entering it found it "full of rotten- 
ness and dead men's bones," and seeing human hearts, 
dripping with warm blood, suspended from the walls, and 



208 



Third Quadrennium, 1889-1893 



being informed that 20,000 human beings were thus sacri- 
ficed annually, resolved to sweep that empire from the face 
of the earth. By the 2d of February my work of visiting 
the missions was completed. In effecting this I was com- 
pelled to spend about ten nights in the boats on the rivers, 
which was no light task, I assure you. I have visited about 
thirty towns and villages in Africa, and carefully looked 
over mission work, and am well pleased with the status of 
things generally, in this important field of our Zion. 

I never saw people more anxious to hear the word than 
these Africans. The cry comes from every quarter, "Send 
us some one to teach us the way of life." If the wealth of 
our Church were consecrated to God's cause, what a bright 
spot on our religious history as a denomination we might 
make here in Africa. The men and women to send are not 
wanting; the money with which to send and support them 
is the great question. What an account some, to whom God 
has given much, but who have not distributed it, will have 
to render when the judgment is set, and they appear before 
the court from which there is no appeal. 

He had so endeared himself to the needy workers 
whom he visited in Africa, that they presented a paper 
expressing their feeling and thought. This deeply 
touched the Bishop's heart, and he returned a formal 
answer. The reader will be interested in both this ap- 
preciation and response. 

The following address, by the African brethren whose 
names are given at the close, was made to Bishop Kep- 
hart at Eotifunk, January 26, 1891 : 

Dear Bishop: — We feel, as a body, that we will be want- 
ing in manifestations of gratitude if we do not, in some 
material form, show our deep appreciation of the social, 
charitable, and liberal manner in which you have conducted 
the deliberations of our Annual Conference. 

Especially for the benefits derived by each of us as 
preachers, teachers, and ministers of that gospel which has 
been sent to us by the good Christians of the Church of 
the United Brethren in Christ in America, who have 



14 



209 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

deputed you to come at this critical period of this mission's 
history, in order not only to know the exact needs of the 
mission, but to inspire the workers with fresh zeal and 
energy. 

That we deeply appreciate the efforts put forth by you 
to this end is the cause of this humble tribute. 

We go forth with renewed zeal and energy to prosecute 
the Master's work, trusting in God's grace to do it so faith- 
fully that at your return you may realize that your godly 
admonitions, advice, and exhortations have not been in 
vain. 

That our good Lord may give the waves charge concern- 
ing you on your voyage homeward, and that you may meet 
your family in good health, and your life be long spared for 
the good of our race and country are the earnest prayers of 

D. P. WlLBEBFOBCE, 

R. Cookson Tayloe, 
W. S. Macauley, 

E. C. BlCKEESTETH, 

F. M. Stewaet, 

S. Benj. Moeeison, 
J. B. W. Johnson, 
C. A. E. Campbell, 
H. J. Williams. 

The following is the Bishop's reply, bearing the same 
date as the above: 

My dear Brethren in Christ: — Please accept this paper as 
a faint token of my appreciation of the address read by 
Rev. R. C. Taylor from your body to me this morning. If 
my associations with you, and my words of advice have 
brought with them cheer and encouragement, and imparted 
an inspiration that may lift you to a plane of higher use- 
fulness in God's cause, I am content and thankful to the 
great Father that my mission among you has not been in 
vain. 

Believe me, dear brethren, that your gentlemanly con- 
duct, your true Christian demeanor, and your good sense 
and ministerial dignity, as displayed in all that you have 
said and done in my presence, give me a higher apprecia- 



210 



Third Quadrennium, 1889-1893 

tion of your worth, and the real character of your native 
race, than ever before. I go to my home with higher hopes 
of the speedy evangelization of Africa than hitherto enter- 
tained by me. 

The good news that I shall carry back to my people will 
give a new inspiration to the home Church, and I am con- 
fident the best results will follow. 

The paper to which this is a reply will be kept as a me- 
mento, and shall always mark a bright spot on the page of 
my life's history. May the God and Father of us all, 
through our Savior Jesus Christ, be with you each; and 
may we meet "in the morning." 

E. B. Kephart, Bishop. 

The voyage was without unusual incident. It became 
monotonous to him. On February 15 he says, "I am a 
little blue — homesick." 

Let us again take up the record in the journal, on 
February 20, and accompany him to scenes in Europe. 

"Feb. 20. — The morning is cold and foggy. We are 
in Georges Channel, just off the coast of Ireland. Land 
could be seen off the coast of Wales and Ireland were 
it not for the fog. The sea is calm this morning, and 
we will go into the Mersey River by 11 p. M. if all is 
well. No seasickness on board the ship. 

"Feb. 21. — Landed in Liverpool harbor at 3 :15 a. m. 
Eeached the Lawrence Hotel at 11:30. Have spent 
most of the time in my room resting, for I am a little 
weary over my sea voyage. Left Freetown, Africa, on 
the evening of the 5th inst., and arrived in Liverpool 
the 20th inst. Time, 15 J days. I most desire above all 
things that God will remove every impurity from me, 
and give me a clean heart. 

"Feb. 22. — The day is most lovely for the season of 
the year. Left Liverpool for London at 11 :30 p. m., 

211 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

by the Midland E. E., and arrived in London at 5:30 
p. M. It is a good railroad, has many tunnels, and the 
scenery is grand. Southport, Derby, Stockport, Lei- 
cester and Nottingham were some of the towns by the 
way. Went to St. Paul's Cathedral in the evening, and 
heard Dr. Perciville preach a good sermon from these 
words: £ I have many things to say unto yon but ye 
cannot hear them now/ Have had much of the Lord's 
presence this day. He was in the sermon, and with his 
people in the cathedral this evening. 

"Feb. 23. — The day has been a busy one to me, and 
the darkest day I ever saw. The fog is so dense that, 
notwithstanding the lights have been burning in the 
streets, we can scarcely see to keep out of the way of 
the horses. I have spent the day in Westminster Abbey, 
among the tombs of England's kings and queens. 
The following is a partial list: All the Edwards, the 
Henrys, III. and VII. ; Mary I. ; Mary II. ; also Mary, 
daughter of James I. ; King James I. ; Queen Anne ; and 
Queen Anne, daughter of James II.; Anne, Queen of 
Eichard III. ; and Eichard III. Also the tombs and 
statues of her great men and women. It was founded 
by Sebert, king of the east Saxons, in 616, on the site 
of a heathen temple to Apollo, so goes the legend. 
After the death of Sebert, his sons relapsed into pagan- 
ism, and the church was deserted. Soon after, the Danes 
razed it to the ground. Yet some historians claim that 
the east angle that now exists is the work of Sebert. 
At night-fall I returned to my hotel weary, and I hope 
a wiser man. I dropped a tear for poor Mary Queen of 
Scots, and felt indignant at Elizabeth, as I looked upon 



212 



Third Quadieiinium, 1889-1893 

her tomb, for signing the death warrant for her cousin, 
and leaving it in the hands of ruffians. 

"Feb. 24. — I have passed the day mostly in the Brit- 
ish Museum. I am more impressed with the greatness 
of the ancients than ever. I see that Egypt and the As- 
syrians surpassed the Greeks and the Eomans in the 
vastness of their sculpture. The massiveness of their 
works, coupled with the age in which they wrought, 
overwhelmed me. It is worth a trip to Europe to see 
the contents of this museum. I also called to see Pro- 
fessor Jennings, A.M., 18 Adonnis Street, Strand, 
London, and had a most pleasant visit. The day has 
been one of thick darkness, worse than yesterday. I am 
well, but weary. Purchased ticket for Rome, Naples, 
and Berlin, for the round trip. 

"Feb. 25. — I have spent the day mostly in the tower 
of London. I saw the crown jewels. The crown of 
Victoria is superb. I was in the prison where most of 
the great prisoners were kept. I stood on the spot where 
Anne Boleyn was beheaded, also where Queen Catherine 
was executed, also Dudley and Lady Jane Grey, and 
others. Saw the block on which many were beheaded, 
walked over London Bridge, visited the Bank of Eng- 
land, and Exchange, etc. At 9 p. m. took the train for 
Paris, via the New Haven and Deippe route. 

"Feb. 26.— Arrived in Paris at 6 :50. Put up at the 
Hotel Grand Julius Caesar. Visited the Tuileries, the 
Louvre, the Place de la Concorde. Went up on the high- 
est tower in Paris, the meteorological observatory. 
Visited the Hall of State and many other chief places 
of interest. 



213 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

"Feb. 27. — Spent the day on the railroad route be- 
tween Paris, Dijon, Turin, Genoa, and Pisa. Arrived 
in Pisa 11 :50 p. M. Came through Mount Canis tun- 
nel — twenty minutes was the time coming through the 
tunnel. The most of the way the ground was covered 
with snow. The Alps looked grand. I ran over in mem- 
ory the scenes they had witnessed. The valley of the 
Po is magnificent. I thought of Hannibal and Alaric 
as we passed through Turin. 

"Feb. 28. — I have spent this beautiful day visiting 
the historic places in Pisa, the cathedral, the art gal- 
lery, the university, and by the way, was in the recita- 
tion-room in which Galileo was taught; was in the 
Tower of Pisa, and in the Campo Santo, and saw the 
sacred earth brought from Jerusalem, and visited some 
of the churches, all Catholic, together with many other 
places of interest. I go to-night to Rome, at 11 :50. 
Am anxious to see the 'Eternal City.' Am stopping at 
the Hotel Washington — quite a good place. 

"March 1. — Reached Rome this morning at 6 :50, 
and put up at the Hotel Eden — a first-class house. 
After breakfast I secured a guide for the day, pa}dng 
10F. "We at once proceeded to the Roman Forum, pass- 
ing the statue of Trajan and the square which he 
adorned with the finest granite pillars, which yet stand, 
nine in a row, and there are four rows; they are much 
broken. We next reached the Forum. I stood in the 
Hall of Justice, and in the place where Mark Antony 
made his speech over the body of Caesar. Saw the re- 
mains of the old treasure house. Looked on the Temple 
of Vestal Virgins, built by Numa Pompilius. Saw the 



214 



Third Quadrennium, 1889-1893 



new temple, over on the west side, where the virgins 
were taken — saw their baths and their rooms. Saw the 
smaller Hall of Justice, on the right as yon look toward 
the north. The rostra of the Forum was on the same 
side, and a portion of the Forum stands there yet. Saw 
the ruins of Nero's temple to Venus, as it stood united 
to the Eoman Forum. Sat under the arc of Titus. 
Was in the Coliseum. Stood where the gladiators 
fought. Looked into the place where the wild beasts 
were kept; was in one of the gladiator's cells. Saw the 
prisons where the Christian martyrs were kept, and 
stood right in the place where the wild beasts devoured 
them. Walked all over the ground, in and out of both 
the Forum and Coliseum. Visited the house of 
Maecenus, and went through many of the rooms; was 
in his dining-room, bed-room, and kitchen. Nero after- 
wards made it his summer house, and still later Titus 
made his baths over it, using it for a foundation. Then 
I went to the palaces of the Caesars : ( 1 ) J ulius Caesar ; 
(2) Caligula; (3) Augustus; (4) Vespasian ; they were 
all united into one. Went through them. Saw the temple, 
or its ruins, built by Eomulus; saw a portion of the 
walls he was building about the city when he killed 
Eemus. Looked on the ruins of the Temple of Con- 
cord, where Cicero impeached Catilina. Looked toward 
the west from the Palace of the Caesars into the Circus 
Maximus. Saw where the Sabine women were raped, 
and where Eomulus adjusted the matter. Saw the 
Aurelian Tower. 

"March 2. — I started for St. Peter's and the Vatican, 
and engaged a guide for the day, for which I paid 6F. 



215 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 



On the way we visited the Church of St. Carlos. Went 
up the Corso to the north gate, then went down to the 
Ponto St. Peter and crossed the Tiber, and continued 
to the Vatican. I first visited the museum of the Vati- 
can, which is crowded with statues of the Roman em- 
perors, and kings, and queens, and gods, and philos- 
ophers; also many rich paintings by the masters of the 
world of art. Then I visited St. Peter's, the finest 
church on earth. The half had not been told me. Some 
data of interest are the following: Its cost was $60,- 
000,000; took 176 years in building (the reign of 
twenty-eight popes), and covers 240,000 square feet. 
The total length is 696 feet; length of transept, 450 
feet; length of nave, 619 feet; width of nave, 88 feet; 
height of dome and cross, 475 feet; diameter, 141 feet. 
It has 30 altars, and 148 columns, mostly taken from 
ancient Rome. The canopy is 95 feet high, made by 
Bernini, of bronze taken from the Parthenon; 137 popes 
are buried in St. Peter's. The Vatican is the largest 
palace in the world, has 20 courts, and 11,000 rooms. 
The obelisk, which stands in the center of the arena in 
front of St. Peter's, was brought by Caligula from 
Egyptian Heliopolis, and set up here in 1586. This 
Piazza di St. Petro, or arena, in area is 1,110x840 
feet, surrounded by Doric colonades, built by Bernini in 
1667, and composed of 284 columns and 90 pilasters, 
each 4J feet high. Leaving this magnificent structure, 
I then closed the day by visiting the tomb of Adrian, 
which stands on the same side of the Tiber, the Fount 
of Coraeola, which is in the square of the French pal- 
ace, and the churches of St. Andrew, St. Marcellus, St. 



216 



Third Quadrennium, 1889-1893 

Basilica di S. Maria in Trastevere, St. Maria, St. 
Marks, the Church of the Twelve Apostles, and lastly, 
the Parthenon. I also saw the Queen of Italy and her 
mother out riding. 

"March 3. — The day was cloudy and a little cold. I, 
with my guide went : ( 1 ) To St. Maria de Populo 
Church; (2) to St. Jerome's; (3) to St. Peter's, and 
went up into the dome, to the very top ; also visited the 
several apartments of the church; (4) to the Monastery 
of St. Peter, which marks the supposed place of the 
crucifixion; (5) Santa Maria Intro verton; (6) Mamer- 
tine Prison, in which Paul and Peter were imprisoned, 
saw the posts to which they were chained in the dun- 
geon ; in this prison J ugurtha was killed, and many oth- 
ers; (7) went into the Capitolene Museum, saw Queen 
Trophona in her stone coffin, with a chain of gold about 
her neck, three rings upon her fingers, and rings in her 
ears; her husband also, in the same manner (just their 
skeletons) ; they were exhumed in the place where now 
stands the Palace of Justice; (8) visited the Church of 
St. John in the Lateran — very fine; this church was 
built by Constantine; five ecumenical councils were 
held here; (9) went into Scala Santa Church, in which 
I saw the twenty-eight marble steps brought from Jeru- 
salem by Queen Hillen in 326, by which Jesus is said to 
have entered Pilate's palace at Jerusalem; (10) went 
out in a cab, the Appian Way, to the tomb of Seneca — 
six miles. On the way I visited the Church of St. Sebas- 
tian ; near by saw the ruins of the Circus of Maxentius, 
and just beyond on the hill I visited the tomb of 
Csecilia Metella, sixty-five feet in diameter. Also visited 



217 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

the catacombs of the slaves, etc. The whole way is a 
graveyard, filled with broken tombs, monuments, and 
ruins. 

"March 4. — The day has been pleasant, although it 
rained a little this morning. Went to the Parthenon; 
saw the tombs of Kaphael and Victor Emmanuel; then 
went and visited the Church Santa Maria and Sophia, 
which stand back of the Parthenon, where once stood 
the temple of Minerva, after which we visited the 
Forum of Trajan. 

"At 1:12 p. m. we took the train for Naples, where 
we arrived at 6 :32 p. M., and put up at the Grand Hotel 
after a drive about the city of one hour, hunting a place 
to stop. 

"March 5. — Went, in company with Mr. Folda and 
daughter, of Nebraska, to Pompeii. The scene is awfully 
grand. I visited about every department. Saw the villa 
of Cicero, but it is yet entombed. Eeturned to Naples 
in the evening. 

"March 6. — The day is beautiful. Went in a private 
conveyance with Mr. Folda and daughter, to Mt. Vesu- 
vius. Went up to the top of the cone. Brought some 
fine specimens of lava with me; they were hot when I 
secured them. Took a lunch at the restaurant, and 
then returned to Naples. At 10 :15 p. m. took the train 
for Venice, via Eome, Florence, and Bologna. The 
scenery is grand all the way. 

In an article to the Telescope he gives an instructive 
description of what he saw on this visit to Pompeii : 



218 



Third Quadremiium, 1889-1893 



Pompeii, as I now recall it, is south of Naples a distance 
of about sixteen miles. It was built by the Greeks, at the 
mouth of the River Sarnus, and was one of their commer- 
cial cities. It stands a little to the east of Herculaneum, 
and about five miles southwest of the summit of Mount 
Vesuvius. Pompeii was, at an early day, subjugated by 
Roman arms, and became a favorite resort for Rome's 
nobles and emperors. In A. D. 63, it was overthrown by an 
earthquake, but immediately rebuilt. In A. D. 79 came the 
historic and most terrific eruption of Vesuvius, which in a 
single day buried out of sight this devoted city, together 
with Herculaneum and Stabide. At the time of its destruc- 
tion it had a population of 25,000, and was noted for its 
opulence. It remained in its tomb of ashes and pumice for 
more than seventeen centuries, but now is exhumed. 

I visited this city in the spring of 1892, in company with 
Hon. Mr. Folda and his daughter, of Schuyler, Neb. I 
shall endeavor to describe it as I saw it. We went from the 
Hotel Diomede direct to the gate of the city, which looks 
to the beautiful Bay of Naples. The principal gate of 
Pompeii is restored. The city was enclosed by a high wall 
a little less than two miles in circumference. The streets 
are narrow, varying in width from eight to twenty-four 
feet, but are straight, and cross at right angles. They are 
carefully paved with blocks of lava, and these are deeply 
guttered by the two-wheeled Roman chariots. Stepping- 
stones, or blocks, stand in the streets at the crossings, very 
similar to some here in Baltimore at the present time, to 
accommodate the pedestrian. At almost every turn, and 
especially at the turnings in the circus, stands the meta of 
the Latin age. As I looked I thought of Horace's "metaque 
fervidis evitata rotis," for, as another said who looked on 
this exhumed city, "It is now a perfect picture of a Roman 
city of 1800 years ago." The houses were constructed out 
of concrete or brick. In a majority of cases only the lower 
story remains, the other stories having been destroyed 
when the rain of fire fell upon the city. Many, many of 
these houses and temples I entered, and saw all there was 
to be seen. These are a few of the many: The house of 
Sculptor, of Holconius, of Ariadne, and the house of Wild 
Boor, in the Street of Abundance; also the temples of Jup- 



219 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 



iter, Venus, and Mercury. These houses are very similar 
in many respects to our own houses in their arrangement. 
In them are the kitchen, dining-room, sitting-room, and 
parlor, together with sleeping apartments, and closets. In 
not a few of these houses the names of the occupants are 
yet very distinct. The frescoings on the walls are yet per- 
fect and beautiful. These houses usually face an open 
court, in which often stand fountains and magnificent stat- 
uary. Often the floors are of beautiful mosaic of unique 
designs. One is the scene of Alexander in the battle of 
Gronicus, oh, so perfect! You can see the prancing steed, 
the war chariot, and, in imagination, almost hear the clash- 
ing steel and thunder of battle. You can enter all the differ- 
ent apartments named in these houses. They were well 
supplied with water by a system of waterworks quite sim- 
ilar to our own. Lead pipes were used, and in many of the 
houses and public buildings, water was furnished in every 
room. These old water pipes yet remain in the houses, and 
the great lead mains are visible at different places on the 
streets. The temples were magnificent; the floors paved in 
mosaic, a small bit of which I picked from the Temple of 
Venus, which I yet have in my cabinet of relics. These 
temples were adorned with the richest specimens of Greek 
and Roman art. I also visited the old Forum, the custom 
house, the theaters, the Academy of Music, and many other 
places of interest, all of which were as natural as real life. 
The city was in the heat of business when the storm of 
death came. I was struck with the different notices on the 
shops and places of business. Here is to be seen the sign of 
the barber-shop, there the soap factory, one of which I en- 
tered. The two kettles are of lead, about the size of an 
ordinary wash-kettle. A large hole is melted in the bottom 
of one of these kettles, from which I broke off a small piece 
of lead while the guide's attention was directed elsewhere. 
Again, you will see, "To Let," over the door of the once bus- 
iness house, but it is yet without a tenant. The old wine- 
cellars, and more especially the wine-casks, in not a few 
cases retained the odor at the time of the excavation. I 
have taken in my own hand loaves of bread that were in 
the oven baking the day when the city was destroyed. The 
old oven still stands in good condition, and the loaves were 



220 



Third Quadreimium, 1889-1893 



well baked. On a large slab at the entrance of the banking 
house on one of the principal streets, are these words, when 
translated: "Welcome, lucre." Wandering amid these ruins, 
and noting the different localities where the many bodies 
have been exhumed, every one giving evidence that the poor 
victims were in the act of fleeing for their lives, one can- 
not but be impressed with the terrible sublimity of that 
awful hour when the "fire and brimstone" fell upon the 
doomed city. I remember a few instances which show the 
unsuspecting condition of the people at the time of the 
catastrophe, and the state of society. Sixty skeletons were 
found in the prison, with their feet yet in the stocks. Many 
skeletons were found in the temple of Jupiter, and also in 
the other temples, all prostrate at the altar. In one of the 
saloons the goblets were yet on the counter, and the money 
untouched, lying on the beautiful marble slab. In the 
amphitheater a number of skeletons were also found, some 
in the galleries, while others were in their private boxes. 
One poor fellow had in his bony fingers his sack of gold 
near to his treasure-chest. He saved his gold, but lost his 
life. Another man sat at his table, writing his will. Heaven 
filed it for record. In Dimond's house seventeen young 
ladies were found, dressed as if for some banqueting oc- 
casion. One had her handkerchief to her eyes, as if weep- 
ing. Poor girl! it was surely an untimely death. The old 
door locks, quite like the one that used to be on my father's 
door when I was a boy in our mountain home, attracted 
my attention. Old trunks and chests, like those our fore- 
fathers brought with them from Europe to this country, 
are to be seen in the museum, either of Naples or Pompeii. 
The work of excavation is still going on. From this city a 
beautiful view of Vesuvius is to be had; also a fine view of 
Cicero's villa, outside the city walls, is presented. The 
villa is yet to be exhumed. When you go to Europe, visit 
beautiful Italy, and do not miss Rome, Naples, and 
Pompeii. 

He hastened from Italy by way of Venice, where he 
spent one day visiting St. Mark's Church, and other 
places of interest. He ranks St. Mark's next to St. 
Peter's. He also spent a day in Vienna, and was im- 



221 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

pressed with its beauty. In Berlin he visited the pal- 
ace of the Kaiser. 

March 12 and 13 were interesting days for him. "We 
visited Wittenberg. Went into the Chnrch of Martin 
Luther, which is now undergoing repairs; saw the 
graves of Lnther and Melanchthon; also the oak tree 
nnder which Lnther burned the Pope's bull. Visited 
the theological seminary in which Luther taught; also 
the rooms in which he lived, which are to-day as they 
were in Luther's day. Sat in his seat, looked at his old 
stove, which stood just as it did when he lived. Was in 
the room in which he was married, as well as the room 
in which he taught. Wittenburg has a population of 
15,000. Went from Apolda to Erfurt, a city of 65,000 
inhabitants, to see the old cathedral, the foundation of 
which was laid in 1153, in which Luther became a monk 
in 1505. The cathedral has twelve bells, one of which 
is the largest bell in the world. Eight shoemakers can 
work in it at one time, and a man can sit on horseback 
in it. It weighs 27,500 German weights, or about four- 
teen tons. 

"Keturned to Weimer, the city of Schiller and Groethe. 
Visited the houses in which they lived ; also visited their 
tomb. Took a general stroll through the city, which is 
a beautiful city of 25,000 inhabitants. Its very air is 
literary and musical. The statues of Schiller and Groethe 
are grand, as are also the statues of Herder and Weiland. 

"We returned to Apolda at the close of the day to 
spend the night. Was serenaded by the young people of 
Apolda, and in return I delivered to them a short ad- 
dress. 



222 



Third Quadreimium, 1889-1893 

"P. S. — Also saw the tomb of M. Anna Dillon, of 
Eussia, who in her lifetime had taken the diamonds 
from some clothing, and replaced them with false or 
inferior ones, and then charged it on the tailor, who was 
banished to Siberia, and there died. On her death- 
bed she exonerated the tailor, and confessed her crime; 
for which she was buried with her head where her feet 
ought to be." 

The German conference convened in Gollnow, March 
20. The reports were good, showing an increase in all 
respects over the previous year. On March 22 he closed 
his work in Berlin, hastened to Liverpool, and sailed 
on the Teutonic, March 25. After a stormy voyage, he 
landed in New York, April 1. 

Ee turning in April, 1891, he resumed his work in the 
home land. Work in abundance awaited him. Calls 
for lectures, dedications, and local service, were numer- 
ous. He served the Ohio District in 1891, and the 
Eastern District in 1892. While his eyes were never 
blind to the needs of any conference, and although he 
was faithful in reproof and exhortation, he was espe- 
cially strong in commending the good, and creating an 
ardent desire to do more and better work for God. In 
closing his conferences in 1892, he wrote: "All my con- 
ferences this fall have been seasons of refreshing to me. 
The spirit of the Church was never more Christ-like, I 
think, than at present. In all the conferences there 
was an increase in membership except in Tennessee, 
which I reported some time ago. In all of these confer- 
ences, with the exception of one or two, more missionary 
money was reported this year than last. I suggest : 1. 



223 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

Better support for the ministry of the Church, and more 
and better work done by the ministers. 2. Fewer changes 
in the ministry by the Stationing Committee. 3. More 
discretion should be exercised in receiving persons into 
annual conference relation. 4. More careful study of 
the Bible, both by ministers and laymen." 

On November 2, 1892, he sailed from Philadelphia 
on the S. S. Ohio, to make a second episcopal visit to 
Africa and Germany. On the vessel were six mis- 
sionaries bound to Egypt, in the employ of the United 
Presbyterian Board. His journal on this second trip 
contains many more references to his dear ones at home. 
There is more manifest pain of separation. This is 
probably due in part to the fact that the first grand- 
child was tugging at the tendrils of his heart. His let- 
ters home overflow with affection for the little one. 

His heart was always beating in sympathy for every 
suffering creature. When three days out he wrote : "A 
little robin has followed us all the day — poor little crea- 
ture, I fear it will perish — but He who regards the spar- 
row's fall will care for the robin." 

The voyage was a tedious one. On November 6, his 
birthday, he experienced what came to him so seldom — 
a slight attack of seasickness. The Ohio proved to be 
such a slow vessel that more time was consumed cross- 
ing than he had reckoned. He says : "This, I hope, is 
my last trip over the sea in a slow ship." November 10 
he mentions a good prayer-meeting, in which the old 
sea-captain took part. November 13, Sunday, he 
preached for the passengers. He was somewhat despond- 
ent, and wrote : "I am a little blue, and much desire 



224 



Third Quadrennium, 1889-1893 

closer communion with. God." His thought is con- 
stantly recurring to his home. "May the good Lord re- 
member my dear wife and family, and oh, my dear little 
man !" 

After one day in Liverpool, he sailed for Africa on 
the S. S. Gaboon. There were about twenty-five cabin 
passengers, including a number of missionaries. "The 
company on board is pleasant, except . the drinking." 
When crossing the Bay of Biscay the sea was very 
rough, and nearly all on board were sick. In this he 
finds some amusement : "Oh, it is laughable to see the 
big, burly Englishman seasick. The eyes of the crea- 
ture are amazing." Closing the day of storm, he says : 
"I am sad and lonely, and can truly say : 

'One of the sweet old chapters, 

At the close of a day like this; 
The day brought care and trouble, 

The evening brings no kiss; 
No rest in the arms I long for, 

Rest, and refuge, and home; 
But weary and heavy laden, 

Unto thy Book I come.' " 

The missionaries on board were seasick, some of them 
almost constantly. His heart goes out to them : "God 
pity the poor missionaries, who must cross seas to reach 
their work." He himself caught a severe cold, and his 
indisposition induced him to change his plan; he had 
intended to visit Egypt and Palestine on his return from 
Africa. He writes : "I would not give one day with my 
family, as far as pleasure is concerned, for all the East 
has to offer." At Maderia, while the ship was coaling, 
he "visited the cave-dwellers, a people very similar to 



15 



225 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

the native inhabitants of the island. They are very 
rude, and regarded as very low in their habits of life. 
The caves are cut in the lava of the rim of the crater." 

Drunken carousals on the ship annoyed him greatly. 
November 27, he preached for the passengers. On the 
29th the sea was calm. He exclaimed, "Oh, how beauti- 
ful a sunset at sea ! Emblem of death and the resurrec- 
tion ! As it went down into the sea I thought of home, 
and my dear wife and children — oh, yes, I thought of 
the time when we shall all be on the other side with the 
dear ones gone before, and I could but say, God hasten 
the day I" 

He landed in Freetown December 2, and in company 
with Eevs. L. 0. Burtner and P. 0. Bonebrake left for 
Shenge the same evening, where, on their arrival the 
next day, he was met by a band, and escorted to the 
mission-house. 

December 4, he preached in Flickinger Chapel, the 
chief serving as his interpreter. He is pleased with 
signs of progress. "I think the people have advanced 
all of fifty per cent, these two years. They are being 
clothed, and in their right minds." He was impressed 
with the fact that the collection could be left on the 
plate in the church all week without danger of its be- 
ing stolen, even though the church was open all the 
time. December 25 was a memorable day. "This is 
Christmas. Got up at 5 a. m., and in a boat went to 
Manoh, arriving there at 9 a. m. Preached at 11 a. m. ; 
baptized seventeen persons before preaching. Admin- 
istered the Lord's Supper after preaching, assisted 
by Rev. Mr. Bickersteth, the pastor. At 2 p. m. went to 



226 



Third Quadrennium, 1889-1893 

Kooloong, a distance of one and one-half miles, and 
preached; baptized two persons. Keturned to Manoh, 
and at 10 :30 started for Shenge, at which place we 
landed at about 2 a. m. I was carried over what the 
natives call the Eiver, between Manoh and Kooloong, on 
the shoulders of a native. The water was three feet deep 
part of the way, and from fifteen to twenty rods wide. 
I anticipated a ducking, but he landed me safely. I 
saw the stocks in Manoh, in which the feet of convicts 
are put. I also saw a poor old woman condemned as a 
witch, who had been a victim of this cruelty. The log 
was about five feet long, with a hole mortised through 
it, in or through which the foot is thrust, and then made 
fast with a pin or wedge. The day was exceedingly 
warm, and by night I had not a dry thread on me. I 
traveled about thirty miles, and walked four or five. Oh, 
when will this country be like my country, this people 
like my people ? God speed the day. I also went to the 
hut of a poor old sick man in Manoh, and gave him the 
communion. Make me more like thee, blessed Lord ! 
At Manoh there are acres of pineapples growing wild. 

"Jan. 12. — I solemnized the marriage of Mr. Joseph 
W. Domingo and Miss Lucinda W. Caulker, both of 
Shenge. They were nephew and niece of the chief. Ad- 
ministered the sacrament to them after the ceremony. 
The bride was dressed in white satin, had a beautiful 
veil, a very neat hat, and light-colored gloves. The 
groom was neatly dressed. She was hauled in a wheel- 
chair, and he was carried in a hammock. 

"Jan. 20. — Held services in the barri at Mocobo, and 
preached; also administered the communion to the old 



227 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

head woman whom I baptized two years ago. She is 
about one hundred years old. The day was beautiful. 
Started down the river at 9 :15 a. m. Landed at Mofuss 
and visited the town. The pastor, J. Dixon, was not 
there. The mission-house has disappeared, but the town 
is recovering from the effects of the war; 160 acres of 
excellent land here. We left Mofuss about 1 p. m., and 
reached Beker about 7 p. m. Went direct to York, 
where I preached to a congregation of seventy-six per- 
sons. Stopped about one hour here, with Brother and 
Sister Williams, who have charge of the station. We 
then went back to Beker, where I preached to a large 
congregation at 9 : 15 p. m. At both these services the 
head men were present. The people followed me, and 
clung to my hands and to my clothing. We left Beker 
about 10 p. m., and reached the sea at the mouth of the 
Cockboro at 3 a. m., where we cast anchor until dawn. 
Beker is ten or twelve miles up the Chocoloh River, 
which is a branch of the Cockboro River. 

On January 24 he had a call from the chief (in 
Shenge). "He told me how my sermon of two years 
ago had led him to Christ and to reformation. Also 
how my sermon on Sabbath had affected him and his 
people, and how thankful he was to God for salvation." 

January 25, he went to Freetown. "On the way we 
ran into a school of porpoises ; they were almost as large 
as horses, and almost upset our boat." 

Having finished his work in Africa, on January 26, 
he arranged to sail on the Oil Rivers, then due, but was 
compelled to wait day after day, until February 3. This 
was a sore trial to him, but he gathered lessons of profit. 



228 



Third Quadrennium, 1889-1893 

On February 2 he witnessed the following scene : 
"Just on the opposite side of the street is a Moham- 
medan engaged in his devotions. He is tall and spare 
of body; he bows with his face to the ground; he then 
rises and cries, 'Alia ! Alia ! Oh, Alia." He pays no at- 
tention to passers-by or lookers-on. I am deeply im- 
pressed with his devotion. But here comes one of the 
same faith, he sees his brother engaged in his devotions, 
he stops at once, and will not pass or move while his 
brother is at prayer. The prayer is ended; he goes on 
his way and leaves the old worshiper to resume his 
duties, — he is a watchman. Does God smile on this, his 
child, and is he well pleased with his devotions, or is it 
all idolatry and sin ? Oh, that Christians here in Africa 
lived up to their profession as do the followers of the 
Arabian prophet ! If it is so that he that giveth even a 
cup of cold water to one in the name of a prophet shall 
receive a prophet's reward, they will be remembered, 
because they have all treated me kindly." 

On board the Oil Rivers were some of Bishop Taylor's 
missionaries from Africa, among whom were Mr. and 
Mrs. Naysmith. "They tell a most horrible story about 
the conditions of the missions and the manner in which 
they were treated. Some of them are almost starving." 
Again, under February 8, we have this entry: "I re- 
ceived this information from Mr. Naysmith, one of 
Bishop Taylors missionaries from Cape Palmos, West 
Africa. At Garowa, on the west coast, was stationed 
Eev. Mr. Gartner, his wife, and a Miss Meeker, from 
the United States of America. In their destitution, 
when their home was visited, Miss Meeker was found 



229 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

dead in one room ; had been dead four days. In another 
room was found the sick wife and children, unable to 
assist themselves, or even give the alarm of death." 
This report seemed to have much influence on the 
Bishop's conception of the relation of faith and com- 
mon sense ever afterward. On February 12 he preached 
in the saloon of the ship, from I. J ohn 3 : 2. The day 
was one of great spiritual enjoyment. February 15, he 
writes : "The day is beautiful. I think I never saw so 
grand a sight as the ocean presented this morning about 
ten o'clock. The sky was clear and the sea as smooth as 
glass, and it seemed as if one could see the ends of the 
earth." 

The mistake of the ship's engineer as to the amount 
of coal taken on board, compelled the captain to run to 
Corunna, Spain, to replenish the exhausted supply. 
From the Religious Telescope of April 12, 1893, we have 
a description of this event, and of the happy turn he 
was able to give the calamity, and also of a great meet- 
ing in London, in which every United Brethren mission 
worker is interested : 

On the morning of February 10, at 6:30, the Oil 
Rivers landed in the port of Las Palmas, Grand Canary. 
The day was spent in strolling about the city, and at 4:30 
p. m. we sailed out of port, bound for Liverpool, England. 
The ship was ten days late, and we all expected a hasty 
trip, as we had now made our last call; but at midnight 
the third day out from Las Palmas, the captain of the 
ship was informed that all the coal on board was about 
consumed. This was consternation to him, for he had been 
informed by his engineer that there were two hundred and 
eighty tons in the ship when in port at Freetown, West 
Africa — a quantity sufficient to carry them to Liverpool. 
To make all things safe, the captain had taken sixty tons 



230 



Third Quadrennium, 1889-1893 



additional at Las Palmas. There was but one thing to be 
done, and that was to turn the ship and sail for Corunna, 
a port on the northwest coast of Spain. On the morning of 
the 15th we anchored in the port, with but three tons of 
coal left. Had it not been for the timely discovery of this 
great blunder, we would have been off the Bay of Biscay 
without coal, and at the mercy of the storm which was 
then raging. The mistake of one man cost the ship's com- 
pany £500, and the entire corps of engineers lost their po- 
sitions. Indeed, I was called before the Board of Directors 
of the ship company, when we reached Liverpool, to give an 
explanation of the blunder as I understood it, and whether, 
in my opinion, the captain had been negligent. But truly, 
Captain Clark is a most trustworthy and safe seaman. 

It is an evil wind that does not favor any one. This 
unfortunate blunder of the engineers of the Oil Rivers 
favored me with the privilege of visiting the coast of Spain 
— a privilege I had long coveted. As I stood upon an emi- 
nence which lies to the rear of the city, not far away from 
the Tower of Hercules, which is an old Roman structure, 
360 feet in height, and gazed upon the beautiful landscape 
stretching away to the foot of the Pyrenees, with vine-clad 
hills, I could but reflect upon the strange part Spain has 
played in the history of civilization. I remembered that in 
the fifteenth century, under the reign of Charles V. and 
Philip II., she had ruled more than half the world. As I 
looked down upon the quiet waters of the beautiful little 
harbor, I knew I was looking upon the waters which, in 
1588, had afforded shelter to the most formidable fleet that 
had ever been put to sea — the Invincible Armada. I knew 
that the very ground upon which I was standing had been 
made red by the blood of Englishmen. My own blood 
stirred in my veins, — being part English too, — for in 1598 
the city over which I was looking had been swept from the 
face of the earth by English troops under Drake and Norris. 
I lived over again the history of the Inquisition. I thought 
of the banishment of the Jews from Spain; lastly, as I 
traced here and there what yet remains of the old Moorish 
castles, turning away in disgust, I recalled the horrors that 
had been perpetrated under the name of "holy war" dur- 
ing the eight hundred years of war that was waged to se- 



231 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

cure the banishment of the crescent from Spanish soil. As 
a merited rebuke for her abuse of power, to-day Spain is the 
basest of kingdoms. Poor Spain: With a climate the most 
lovely, and with a lofty-minded and liberty-loving people, 
her star of empire set in black night, and the bitter curse 
of the Antichrist, whose throne is upon the Tiber, has 
robbed her of her greatness and glory, and has made her 
little among the nations. 

Corunna has a population of 60.000. The first settlers 
were Phoenicians, and the name of the city is identified with 
the ancient Ardobrica. The seaport is mentioned by Mela, 
and the name of Portus Artavrorum was given to the bay 
on which the city is situated. On the hills which surround 
the city is where, in 1809, Sir John Moore defeated the 
French army under Marshal Soult. The French marshal 
attempted to prevent the embarkment of the English and 
Sir John, but was repulsed. The English commander was 
mortally wounded, and died at the close of the battle. He 
was hastily buried the same night, on a bastion near the 
sea. It was my good fortune to visit the grave of this 
brave English officer. Who is it, from any land, who visits 
the tomb of this great man, having lost his life in the de- 
fense of human freedom, that has not a tear to shed over 
his moldering ashes? The city is clean and well regulated. 
It has some important manufactories, such as cotton mills, 
extensive tanneries, and a large government tobacco fac- 
tory, which gives employment to not less than five thousand 
women. No less than three hundred ships call annually at 
the port of Corunna. 

We sailed from this port on the evening of February 16, 
on about as rough a sea as my eyes ever rested upon; but 
we crossed over the Bay of Biscay and landed safely in 
the port at Liverpool on the night of February 19. In the 
evening of the 20th I went to London, where I remained 
until the 24th. In this, the greatest city of the whole earth, 
I met Mr. William Jenks, Esq., Secretary of the Freedmen's 
Aid Society, with whom I had been corresponding some 
time. A meeting of the Executive Committee of that Board 
was arranged for. At this meeting a brief account of our 
mission work in Africa was laid before the committee, and 
arrangements for a public meeting were entered upon, the 



Third Quadrennium, 1889-1893 



place and details to be left with the secretary. After reach- 
ing Berlin, Germany, I received a letter from Mr. Jenks 
stating that satisfactory arrangements had been made, and 
that the public meeting would be held in Dr. MacEwin's 
Church (Trinity Presbyterian), on the evening of March 
14. On the date named the meeting was presided over by 
Hon. Mr. Thornton, member of the House of Commons. 
The church was crowded. A number of eminent divines, as 
well as other distinguished gentlemen, were present, and 
took part in the meeting. Four natives from Zululand were 
present, and did most of the singing, which was excellent. 
I addressed the audience on "Africa, and Mission Work in 
That Dark Land." The meeting was one of much interest 
and enthusiasm, and the Board, its secretary, and all pres- 
ent seemed to be endued with a new inspiration for the 
civilization and spiritual redemption of the African race. 
As I sat among those sons and daughters of the most 
noble queen that ever ruled a great nation, I was struck 
with the similarity that obtains among them and my own 
people. Said Dr. MacEwin to me, "How striking the 
similarity between the American and English people. And 
why not? We are of the same blood, and our difference of 
government is more in name than in anything else." The 
doctor, who is a sample of his race, and the truest type of a 
Christian gentleman, has traveled extensively in America, 
and is well acquainted with the customs and habits of the 
people of the United States. This Freedman's Mission Aid 
Society has assisted our board much, and there are good 
reasons for believing it will do more in the future. Its 
board of officers are wise, wide-awake, and energetic men. 

Hastening from England he continued to Germany, 
to visit the churches and conduct the conferences. His 
journal for February 24 gives impressions of general 
interest: "The country over which we passed is under 
a high state of cultivation, but is lined- with soldiers 
from end to end. He who runs may read the 
'writing on the wall. 5 Sure the war-cloud is rising, 
and Europe cannot long sustain the present war-foot- 



233 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

ing. I think the child is born who will break the shack- 
les from the necks of the oppressed. The German mind 
will not long submit to a ruler who tells his soldiers in 
a public speech: If I command yon to shoot your 
fathers, your brothers, and your sons, all you have to do 
is to obey me and shoot them down/ All Europe is in 
a state of unrest. The line of railroad passed over is 
good, and in Holland and Germany the cars are well 
heated, but in England they are wretched." At another 
time he records: "The wages of a soldier in Germany 
is five cents a day. His food is coffee and black bread, 
dry, for breakfast, and a moderately good dinner, — no 
supper. And then he is a slave." 

In Germany he had many interesting experiences. "I 
lectured in Gollnow to a large and interesting congre- 
gation. The subject was 'Africa/ This was my second 
visit to Gollnow, and I met many friends. Some men 
and women walked ten miles to attend the lecture. Our 
Church here is in good condition. Wherever I go, es- 
pecially in the rural districts, I see the woman with the 
burden on her back, and the man walking with his cane 
in hand, smoking his pipe. Not unfrequently the 
woman is hitched up with a dog, to help him haul his 
master's load. Surprisingly strange, but lamentably 
true, almost every railroad station in Germany is a beer 
and whisky saloon. It does not take a prophet to tell 
'what the harvest shall be/ " He visited a country vil- 
lage of about 500 population. "The people here are 
quite peculiar in their habits. As a rule the house and 
stable are all under one roof. The women are little 
better than pack-horses. They carry their produce to 



234 



Third Quadreiinium, 1889-1893 

market on their backs — say from seventy-five to one 
hundred pounds weight to the woman — and a distance 
of from five to ten miles. The horses are left in the 
stables, and the women are made to do the drudgery. 
But we find all have a good degree of intelligence, both 
men and women." 

March 7 contains this entry: "Posenech is an old 
city of 10,000 inhabitants. Luther used to preach in 
it. More than a thousand years ago the region was the 
abode of a band of robbers, hence its name, Bosenech, 
now Posenech. It is built in a valley extending up the 
sides of a hill. Lectured on 'Africa' to a crowd. Re- 
cently, in making some excavations in the city, a skel- 
eton was exhumed. His arms and equipment showed he 
had been a king or a prince, and had been buried alive. 
The skeleton was in a vault, in an upright position, 
showing the man had been entombed alive up to the top 
of his head, and then with a plow his head had been 
split, or the top part cut off by the plowshare, as the 
team drew the plow over him. They could not de- 
termine the date of this act of inhumanity, but prior to 
the Reformation heretics in Germany were thus exe- 
cuted. It may belong to the heathen age of Germany. 
An infidel came to the lecture for the purpose of con- 
troversy, but on hearing the lecture he remained silent, 
and at the close came up to me and thanked me, and 
wished me success on my journey. 

"We passed through Jena, the seat of the great uni- 
versity. It was over these hills surrounding the city the 
'Man of Destiny' once swept with his great army like a 
thundercloud, and defeated the German forces. Could 



235 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

these hills speak, they would tell a wonderful tale of 
woe. Man is a terror to himself." 

The conference was held in the city of Weimar, in 
which he took great delight. "Weimar is the home of 
the two great German poets, Goethe and Schiller. I 
visited their tombs in the cemetery. This is a beautiful 
place. Here are entombed many who were once great 
on earth. Do they yet live ? Yes, but in happiness or in 
woe? God only knows. I will imitate their virtues, and 
shun their vices. The Grand Duke of Sachs Weimar, 
Carl Alexander, lives here. He has not allowed any 
factories to be built in the city. It is a city of literature, 
music, and art, and the most beautiful city I have yet 
seen in the empire, except Berlin. Its population is 
25,000. 

"March 10. — The day was cold and stormy. The 
conference opened at 9 a. m., with all the members pres- 
ent except one. The reports of all the members 
were good; yet the growth of this German conference 
is a little slow, owing to the constant drain on all the 
charges by removal to the United States of America. 
The members are all prompt in their work, and ready 
at any time to do the work assigned them. Our mistake 
here has been we did not set our mark sufficiently high, 
and require a higher standard of ministerial qualifica- 
tion. Also, we have run too much over the country, and 
have not concentrated our work sufficiently to make it 
stronger. Also, our preachers have too many appoint- 
ments to do effective and permanent work." 

His work completed in Germany, he hastened back to 
London, spoke in the great missionary meeting in Dr. 



236 



Third Quadrennium, 1889-1893 



MacEwin's church, March 14, and sailed from Liver- 
pool on the Britannic, March 15. A part of the voy- 
age was stormy. "The sea had a fearful roll on, and 
but few of the passengers came to the table for dinner. 
As usual, I was in my place at the table. There were 
sixty saloon and eight hundred steerage passengers. On 
my whole journey I have been alone, that is, had no ac- 
quaintance. To have some intimate friend would 
shorten the journey greatly." Before landing in New 
York, he was called on to preside at a concert given on 
board the ship for the benefit of the Seaman's Orphan- 
age. On March 24 he landed, about 6 p. M., and in two 
hours was on his way home in Johnstown, Pa. His 
journal closes thus : "Many, many thanks to the Giver 
of all good for his mercy. 



237 



"No man is born into the world, whose work 
Is not born with him ; there is always work, 
And tools to work withal, for those who will ; 
And blessed are the horny hands of toil ! 
The busy world shoves angrily aside 
The man who stands with arms akimbo set, 
Until occasion tells him what to do ; 
And he who waits to have his task marked out 
Shall die and leave his errand unfulfilled." 

— Lowell. 

"The view of the past which awakens the regrets of old fools, 
offers to me, on the contrary, the enjoyments of memory, agreeable 
pictures, precious images, which are worth more than your objects 
of pleasure ; for they are pleasant, these images, and they are pure, 
for they call up amiable recollections." — Button. 

"How dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood !" 



238 



CHAPTER XV. 



FOURTH QUADRENNIUM, 1893-1897. 

The General Conference of 1893 met in Dayton, 
Ohio, May 11. The bishops were all present. Bishop 
Weaver, as the senior bishop, presided at the opening 
session. The visits of Bishop Kephart to the foreign 
fields had been so satisfactory to the Board of Bishops 
that, in their address to the General Conference they 
recommended, "That you arrange for one of the bishops 
to visit the foreign fields at least once every other year, 
and oftener if it be necessary." 

Bishop Weaver was made Bishop emeritus; Bishops 
Castle, Kephart, and Hott were reelected. Dr. George 
A. Funkhouser was elected bishop, but declined the 
high honor, and Rev. J. S. Mills, D.D., was chosen. 

The question of the location or rotation of the bish- 
ops was again discussed. Bishop Kephart gave expres- 
sion to his feelings as follows : 

Mr. Chairman, the question before the conference is 
rather a delicate one, so far as the superintendent, or 
bishop, is concerned. I am very sure that so far as relates 
to his own personal interests, it is more satisfactory to him 
to be located on a district, — at least it is so with me, — but 
as it relates to the general good of the Church, I am very 
well satisfied it is to the advantage of the denomination, 
if his thought is to be turned in the direction of general 
interests, that he be so placed as to come in touch with the 
whole Church. I repeat, if it is your thought that you 



239 



Idfe of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

want your superintendents to assist in carrying forward 
the general interests of the Church, put them in a posi- 
tion where they will come in touch with the whole Church; 
because if you confine them to districts, the Church knows 
nothing of them so far as coming in contact with those 
outside their district is concerned. As to which will be 
for the better, you are to judge. 

Bishop Weaver held the same view of the question. 
The vote of the conference was in favor of rotation. 

For various reasons the Church Erection Society had 
not been as successful as desired, and there was a differ- 
ence of opinion as to whether a secretary should be 
elected. The Board of Bishops recommended that spe- 
cial attention be given to this interest. They declared : 
"It is the only power that can help our Church into 
cities of population, where we are needed, and where we 
can plant missions which will abide, — enlarging influ- 
ences. This is the twin sister of the Missionary So- 
ciety. You should have a wise and able financier who, 
as its General Secretary, should devote his entire time 
to its interests." 

In the general discussion, Bishop Kephart spoke in 
favor of the measure. In the election, Kev. C. I. B. 
Brane was chosen Secretary. 

Although he was not the senior bishop, because of the 
declining strength of Bishop Weaver, he was required to 
bear a share of the responsibility of that office. During 
this quadrennium Bishop Weaver leaned quite heavily 
on Bishop Kephart, as the following letter, dated May 
28, 1894, will indicate : "Now I am comparatively old, 
and in a measure worn out, I can do but little more, but 
my love for the Church is in no way diminished. If 

240 



Fourth Quadrennium, 1893-1897 



ppssible, I want you to take on a little additional re- 
sponsibility. I know yon have stood firmly and square- 
ly by the Church, and your counsel and advice have al- 
ways been good and wise, but I want you to feel more 
than ever that the burden in a large measure rests upon 
you. As long as I have strength I shall be round and 
about, but in going up steep grades I shall expect you 
to do most of the pulling; if there is room, you may 
expect me to be in the wagon." 

The quadrennium was indeed a busy one. When not 
engaged in conferences, he was in almost constant de- 
mand for lectures, dedications, camp-meetings, and 
church visitations, while conducting an extended cor- 
respondence throughout the Church in the home and 
foreign field. In the beginning of this period, his home 
was in Johnstown, Pa,, but he removed to Baltimore to 
comply with a requirement of the General Conference 
that one of the bishops should make his home east of 
the mountains. "A prophet is not without honor save in 
his own country/ 7 is a proverb of so universal nature as 
to find a place in Sacred Writ, but Bishop Kephart, in 
the latter years of his life, was a favorite in the com- 
munity where he was born and reared. It was to him 
also a great delight to go annually to Bigler Camp- 
meeting, where he could meet the friends of his youth, 
and preach to them the word of life. On such occasions 
he was wont to seize the opportunity to visit the old 
homestead and haunts of his boyhood. His familiar 
letters of reminiscence, written to his brother, and pub- 
lished in the Religious Telescope, contain so much of 
general interest that the reader will prize them. The 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

first of these letters of reminiscence was written, prob- 
ably, in the year 1893. 

Dear Brother: — I left Johnstown this morning (July 21), 
for Clearfield, Pa., where I am to dedicate a church to-mor- 
row. I have just got off the train at Osceola, and am 
now looking down into the old Moshannon Creek. It don't 
look as it used to when we were here with old Josie Earls, 
fishing. You remember, while looking after us boys lest 
we should be drowned, how he let his fishing-rod fall, and 
the hook caught him in the upper lip. I can hear the poor 
veteran of the Revolutionary War say, "Ah, ah, it will 
never do for me to go with little boys fishing." And then 
too, I am thinking of old "Sam" Walker, and of old Mr. 
Huffman, and of old Peter Philips when he was fishing, 
and the great speckled trout took his hook and he began to 
cry, "Here she comes! Here she comes!" when suddenly 
with a splash, the huge trout fell back into the water. 

You remember Peter's exclamation: "Oh de t'ing!" 

The forest, you know, has been removed, and one can see 
all the old haunts that were dear to us when we were boys. 
I am now looking across at the Knob while I am standing 
on the hill, all alone, above Osceola. I can see down to the 
old Round Lick, where many a deer met its fate at the 
hand of the primitive settlers, where father killed many a 
fine buck, where Uncle David lived, where "Blue Joe 
Logan" lived across the way, and old Solomon Hammer- 
slagh, and where "Old Uncle Dan" lived. All these places 
have undergone some change; yet to me the old surround- 
ings look quite familiar. 

I am now looking down on the old homestead, where 
Grandfather Kephart lived. The old blacksmith shop, and 
the old house and barn are all gone. Some of the old apple 
trees yet stand and bear fruit. I shall never forget the day 
you and I started for Mount Pleasant College. You re- 
member we stopped that morning at grandfather's, and 
when we were about to start on our way, footing it across 
the mountain, grandmother gave us her blessing. Oh, what 
a blessing! Grandfather stood and looked on. It was the 
last time we saw them. 



242 



Fourth Quadrennium, 1893-1897 

I have been looking where the old schoolhouse stood on 
the hill, where we "barred the teacher out." Platner was 
his name, you know. Oh, what a day that was for us boys! 
I think of our teachers who taught in the old house — 
Jonathan R. Ames, old James Philips, old Mr. Ostler, Mary 
Walker, etc. I also think of the old slab benches, and the 
little bench in the chimney corner where the teacher put 
the bad boys. Oh, no; you never got there — you didn't! I 
think of the bright-eyed boys and girls who were our play- 
mates; but the great number of them have gone to the 
grave, where all our teachers have gone. How plucky the 
little dusky John Green was when the old teacher was 
flogging Josiah Milwood, and he exclaimed, "I'll knock your 
brains out." I can see him yet pull off his coat and com- 
pel the teacher to put up the rod. All these exciting scenes 
come up before me, and I live them over again. And, by 
the way, on Sabbath I met Jane McCullough, and we talked 
over the time when we barred the teacher out at the old 
schoolhouse. You know she was a most beautiful girl. She 
looks like her good old mother. I think I had not seen her 
for more than forty years. 

I took dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Harris. Mrs. Harris, 
you know, is our niece. They live back near where the old 
path used to be that led from the schoolhouse across the 
bottom, through the pines, hemlock, and laurel, toward 
Mr. Hughes. The Crowell boys and girls, and little Jim 
Robinson used to come that way to school. 

After dinner I went up to where Dr. Kline lived, and 
where the "new" log schoolhouse yet stands, in which we 
finished our common-school education. Time has made its 
impressions on the surroundings. The old church yet 
stands, but both it and the schoolhouse have been converted 
into dwelling-houses. You remember, father hewed the logs 
of the schoolhouse. I went on up the lane to where Uncle 
John Goss used to live. The old house yet stands, but the 
barn and the out-stables are all gone. The old pear tree 
from which we used to get the pears is vigorous, and laden 
with fruit. I thought of the night of old "Josie's" wake, 
when you threw the cowfoot into the stable where Uncle 
had confined old "Dunk." Dunk had killed a horse just 
that day, and was a prisoner. I could almost hear him bel- 



243 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

low as he walked up and took a sniff of the cowfoot. What 
boys we were! And did not uncle make a scatterment among 
us when he heard the bellowing and came up to the barn? 
It was about midnight. I really do not know which was the 
more angry, he or his bovine. 

As I stood and looked over the old barn site, I thought 
of the night when uncle found "Abe Green" in his granary 
stealing wheat. You remember he just closed the door and 
locked it until the morning, with the dusky man inside. 
When morning came he opened the door and lectured his 
prisoner somewhat roughly, then filled a three-bushel sack 
with good wheat, placed it on Green's back, and made him 
carry it to his home, telling him what he would do if he 
ever again found him stealing out of his granary, and 
then added, "If your family needs more wheat, come and 
ask me, and I will give you some more; but I don't want 
you to be stealing it." Uncle had a great heart, and no 
man in want was ever turned from his door empty-handed. 

The old roads have not been changed here, and the an- 
cient landmarks are as of yore. I passed on over the hill 
and through the strip of woods up to the old home where 
we were reared. I always like to be alone when I visit this 
sacred spot. As I passed up the lane, I stopped and looked 
at the corner where the road used to turn "down to Pete's." 
I thought of the time when Pete's boys, Jake and Dan, you 
and I, together with some of our sisters, and Lizzie Philips, 
were all in the old cart, and the oxen ran off, and, turning 
the corner too sharply, the wheel ran up on the fence, up- 
set the cart, and dumped us all out. Strange that none of 
us were killed — not even seriously hurt. I went down to 
the spring and took a drink as we used to do. I stood and 
looked at the old garden, where mother spent much time 
in the gardening season. The old house and barn are gone; 
the apple trees yet stand, but are scarce of fruit. The "big 
spring" has about disappeared. Some of the old stumps yet 
remain on which we used to place the target when we had a 
game of shooting at mark. 

I took a stroll on the old farm, went out the lane to where 
the camp-meeting used to be, and down into the old orchard. 
The "big sour tree" was broken down by the recent storm. 
Some apples were on its limbs, and I ate one. It will never 



244 



Fourth Quadrennium, 1893-1897 

bear fruit again. Almost all the trees are dead. The 
"early sweet" and "early sour" were both struck by light- 
ning; their trunks remain only in part. Like father and 
mother who planted them, they are gone. These old trees, 
though dead, are sacred to us. The old chimney that marks 
the old cabin is in heaps. Right here you and I were born. 
The old gum tree has also fallen down. Here under the old 
tree, when but a child, I remember seeing mother's step- 
mother. She died before I was three years old. 

I went down to the old spring; it is almost filled up, and 
the water is of a dark color. When a child, and mother was 
washing under the old gum tree, I fell into the spring, and 
would have drowned had not you yelled, "Zeek's in the 
spring!" and mother ran over and saved me. As I looked 
over where the old barn stood, I thought of that most 
furious flogging the old gander gave you once. In mem- 
ory I could hear his shouts of victory and your cries for 
help. Everything came back to me — the old cabin, the old 
porch, with the mark on it of the length of the panther 
which father took in the bear-pen; John Philips and his 
dog, "Rapp"; the old bumblebee's nest, and even the 
ground squirrels' holes, etc. They have cleared out the 
meadow swamp, and are draining it, and putting things in 
shape once more. The stump of the big pine tree, off of 
which father shot the bear, yet remains; but scarcely a 
trace of father's old deer-lick is to be found. Yes, all 
things have changed. The deer are no more seen on the 
hills; the panther no more appears on the mountains; and 
the growl of the bear and the scream of the wildcat are no 
more heard. The old men and women who preceded us 
are about all gone, and I felt myself a stranger in the midst 
of our once familiar haunts. As I sat and meditated amid 
the old familiar ruins, I could half wish that the former 
days, with all their hallowed associations, might return 
once more. But then, on a higher plane, and in a brighter 
world, we may meet them again. I brushed the tear from 
my moistened cheek and crossed the field — "the big clover 
field," in which father shot his last wild turkey — on down 
to the old bottom road, and into Osceola, where I took the 
train for Clearfield, at which place I arrived about 5 p. m. 

On Sabbath we had an excellent dedication. The chapel 



245 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 



cost from $1,200 to $1,500. I had a good time with John M. 
Chase. We talked over all our rafting experiences. He is 
very anxious to see you. Elder Stahl was with me at the 
dedication. He is a wide-awake presiding elder. Brother 
Davidson is the pastor at Clearfield. He is untiring in his 
efforts, and very successful. E. B. Kephabt. 



246 



"Give me thy heart. O Christ ! thy love untold 
That I like thee may pity, like theo may preach. 
For round me spreads on every side a waste 
Drearer than that which moved thy soul to sadness ; 
No ray hath pierced this immemorial gloom ; 
And scarce these darkened toiling myriads taste 
Even a few drops of fleeting earthly gladness, 
As they move on, slow, silent, to the tomb." 

— Dr. Murray Mitchell. 

"Earth proudly wears the Parthenon 
As the best gem upon her zone ; 
As Morning opes with haste her lids 
To gaze upon the Pyramids." 

— Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

"Blest land of Judea ! thrice hallowed of song, 
Where the holiest of memories pilgrim-like throng." 

—John G. Whittier. 



247 



CHAPTER XVI. 



FIFTH QUADRENNIUM, 1897-1901. 

The General Conference of 1897 met in Toledo, 
Iowa. Bishop Weaver presided at the opening session, 
and Bishop Kephart led in prayer. One paragraph of 
that prayer sets forth distinctly one great principle of 
his life. He always deplored the use of the baser pol- 
itical methods denoted as "wire-pulling/' or "slate- 
making" in church affairs, and sought constantly to 
cooperate with God, that he might perform the Lord's 
will in the Lord's own way. These things seemed to be 
upon his heart when he so fervently prayed : 

"Thou righteous Father, we come, and we trust we 
come in thy name, not with any plans, or anything put 
up of our own making which is not of thee; but we 
would beseech thee, righteous God, that if any of us 
have thus come, thou wouldst break our plans in pieces 
over our own heads, and teach us, Heavenly Father, that 
we must come with a desire for divine guidance, and we 
must come in thine own way." 

In his petitions he never forgot the heathen world. 
Another paragraph from this prayer will illustrate his 
devotion to this interest : 

"Let thy blessing, we ask thee, be upon that portion 
of our sorrow-smitten race who have never heard that 
Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. We 



248 



Fifth Quadrennium, 1897-1901 

know not why it is that thou hast favored us and our 
land above many other tribes of men, because they are 
all alike of thee. They are thine as we are thine. They 
have had no choice where they should be born. They 
had little or nothing to do with shaping their environ- 
ment; and yet, gracious Father, in all the ages they 
have been in the night of paganism; and we pray thee 
this afternoon, blessed Father, that in the deliberations 
of this body we may so legislate and so direct that we 
may bear our part in carrying the word of life and light 
to those who are in a destitute condition. Gracious 
Father, we ask thee that thou wouldst come to them in 
thine own way, whether it pleases us, or whether it does 
not. Save them! They are thy children. 0 God, ex- 
ercise thy fatherly care over the workmanship of thy 
hands, and grant that the Spirit that has already shed 
so much light upon this dark world of ours may con- 
tinue to throw its light across the world until all the 
nations of this earth have been lighted up and gathered 
into the fold of Christ/ 7 

One of the prominent questions before the conference 
was the continuance and management of the United 
Brethren Review. Some financial loss was incurred, and 
there was a difference of opinion as to whether it should 
be continued, and if continued, who should have charge. 
Bishop Kephart championed the cause of the Review, 
as he did every measure which he believed would raise 
the standard of intelligence and piety of the Church. 
The Publishing House had discontinued this publica- 
tion because of insufficient support. Afterward an or- 
ganization of ministers was formed, known as "The 



249 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 



Review Publishing Association/" for the purpose of 
continuing the magazine. Bishop Kephart was an active 
member of this association, and gave it much of his 
thought, editing one of its departments. In the discus- 
sion of the question at the General Conference, in ; 97, 
he opposed the placing of the management in the hands 
of the Seminary faculty, the editors of the Telescope, 
or any other body having a specific work assigned by the 
General Conference, and advocated the election of an 
editor, whose time and talent should be devoted to this 
work, and also that it should be issued bv the Publish- 
ing House, even though a financial loss should be in- 
curred for a time. His reasons for this position were 
based on what he believed to be the duty of the Church 
to feed the sheep, and his unfaltering confidence in the 
membership of the Church, believing that, if the cause 
be presented to the people on its merits, it would receive 
such hearty support as soon to be raised to a paying 
basis. After discussion, however, the Review was left 
in the care and management of the Review Association, 
as during the preceding four years. 

It was a long-cherished desire of Bishop Kephart that 
his Church should have a mission in Jerusalem. At the 
Toledo General Conference the report on missions com- 
mended the matter to the Board of Missions for con- 
sideration. He regarded the place peculiarly opportune 
to reach the Hebrew people with the gospel of the Man 
of Galilee. His interpretation of scripture and 
of history confirmed him in the belief that the 
gathering of the Jews in the Holy Land reveals the 
hand and purpose of God. and that the saving of the 



250 



Fifth Quadrennium, 1897-1901 

world depends upon the gathering of the Israelites in- 
deed. 

In order to promulgate this cherished hope, he pub- 
lished an article in the Telescope on fr Volunteer Mis- 
sions in Jerusalem," in which he presented his reasons, 
and urged the Church to enter this open door, and so 
respond to what seemed to him a manifest call of God. 
In a later issue on the same subject, he writes : 

Since my article on "Volunteer Missions in Jerusalem" 
appeared in the Religious Telescope, I have received many 
private letters from different parts of the Church. These 
have all been encouraging, expressing deep sympathy with 
the movement, and pledging financial aid to assist in estab- 
lishing and maintaining such a mission. While it would be 
a most desirable thing if some of the men and women of 
wealth of the Church would come forward and make large 
contributions to this enterprise, that it might at once be 
set on foot, yet we are not ignorant of the fact that we must 
look to the "common people" as its chief supporters, who, 
through their moderate contributions, have always been 
the financial bulwark of the Church. 

If once we have sufficient funds to open up the mission, 
I am quite sure there will be no trouble in finding a suitable 
secretary to put in the field, and the Board of Missions 
will not hesitate to take hold of the work. 

As I think and pray over the subject, it comes to me like an 
inspiration that there is no other spot on earth so impor- 
tant as a mission-field. Surely "the time of the Gentiles is 
well-nigh fulfilled," and "Jerusalem has been sufficiently 
trodden down by them, and the time" of his coming "who 
shall rule in righteousness" is drawing nigh. 

As I see Jesus, "the son of a Jewish peasant girl," walk 
out of his shop in the mean town of Nazareth, and pro- 
claim, "I am the light of the world," and "I, if I be lifted 
up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself," at the 
opening of the first century, and now, in the closing of the 
nineteenth, seated as King upon the throne of every civil- 
ized nation on the earth, I am compelled to look upon him 



251 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

as the miracle of the ages, and exclaim, "My Lord and my 
God!" This same Jesus, "the Living One," said, "I will 
come again." His people expect him. "Shall my Zion slum- 
ber?" And when his pierced feet shall again press the 
ground of the Holy City, shall we not have a church-house 
there, unto which we can invite our blessed Lord, or will 
we hold on to and perish with our gold, and be content to 
let others take our places, while we in act say, "Our Lord 
delayetb his coming?" No; a thousand times, no. Let us 
build him a house in the sacred city, and have there a peo- 
ple preparing for the coming of our Lord. Who will take 
upon himself the obligation? Who will join this band? 

At the General Conference all the bishops were 
reelected on the first ballot. It was decided to station 
the bishops, and Bishop Kephart was assigned to the 
Eastern District. At the close of his conferences, in 
1897, he writes: 

"Almost seventeen years are behind me since I held 
my first annual conference; but at no time in these 
years has the tide of Christian vigor and the real 
Christ life reached so high a mark as it has now at 
my fall conferences which have just closed. All my 
conferences this fall have been seasons of joy for me. 
An unbroken stream of kindness has come to me, both 
in the conference sessions, and in the good homes 
where hospitality was so lavishly bestowed upon me. I 
have but two suggestions: First, to the brethren who 
have been a little slow, and a little behind in some 
things. Under the blessings of God, stretch up and 
quicken your steps a little. Second, to the presiding 
elders. Look carefully after the men under your care 
who need your assistance. Kindly help them to suc- 
ceed. And may the God of peace keep you and all the 



252 



Fifth Quadrennium, 1897-1901 

brethren in the ministry and laity of the Church unto 
eternal life." 

He never lost an opportunity to meet and converse 
with intelligent Jews, especially their teachers. When 
living in Baltimore, a Jewish rabbi was one of his in- 
timate friends. 

He never tired of studying the Jew in history. This 
subject never failed to evoke his wonder, love, and 
praise. To visit the Holy Land had also been one of 
his life dreams, and this was realized in this quadren- 
nium. It fell to his lot to visit the African and German 
missions. On November 14, 1899, in company with Eev. 
J. E. King and wife, Eev. E. E. Todd and wife, and Eev. 
Ira Albert and wife, he sailed from New York for 
Liverpool on board the Oceanic. As the great ship 
drew out of the harbor for her long run his journal 
says : "The thought of home and friends left behind 
rush upon the mind and fill the heart with sadness and 
soften the eyes with tears, but a sense of duty and a 
consciousness of the ultimate victory of the world for 
Christ, and the desire to save the perishing make 
heart strong and conquer self." There comes the in- 
spiration of the poet : 

"Yes, my native land, I love thee, 
All thy scenes, I love thee well. 
Friends, connections, happy country, 
Glad, I bid you all farewell." 

November 19 was the Sabbath. "I attended service 
this a. m. It was the Episcopal service, conducted by 
the purser of the ship. The service was very impressive 
and quite well attended. Many preachers might learn 



253 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

how to conduct a service from this plain man. He had 
no ministerial "whine," but talked and read and prayed 
like a man. Oh, how I love the house of the Lord !" 

On November 25, in company with seven missionaries, 
the six previously named and a Eev. Mr. Morrison, in 
the employ of the Eadicals, he sailed on the Biafra, 
from Liverpool to Freetown. November 26 was Sunday. 
He preached in the evening from Luke 8 :18 and Heb. 2 : 
5. "I am sure the good Lord was with me in preaching 
for a good impression was made upon the hearers. The 
captain and the ship doctor were present and gave great 
attention and were deeply impressed." December 31, he 
preached again in the saloon of the ship from Job 22: 
21. "There is much sin on board the ship — drunken- 
ness, smoking, etc. God pity the ungodly coming from 
a Christian land as they about all do." 

"Dec. 6. — A concert was given in honor of myself 
and the missionaries last evening." 

He landed in Freetown, December 8 ; on the 12th he 
writes : "I have been over the city and find these people 
have made wonderful progress. Nine years ago nudity 
among the people was not a rare thing, but I have not 
seen a nude man or woman in Freetown on this trip. 
The people are exceedingly active and show much en- 
ergy in their work. I had the pleasure of meeting 
to-day a Mrs. Wilson, who is the daughter of Doctor 
Livingstone." 

"Dec. 14.— We left Freetown for Eotifunk at 7:10 
A. m. We went by railroad to the Eibbie Eiver, distant 
from Freetown forty miles, and seventeen from Eoti- 
funk. The seventeen miles I was carried in a hammock, 



254 



Fifth Quadrennium, 1897-1901 

which was my first experience in hammock riding. It 
is an awful way of getting about. A Mrs. Taylor, wife 
of an army sergeant came with us part of the way. She 
is going up on the frontier to her husband, a distance of 
at least 250 miles from where she left the railroad. The 
only company she had was two corporals and her car- 
riers. All are natives, and she is at their mercy. God 
pity her, and protect her." 

In May, 1898, there was an uprising of the natives 
in rebellion against British rule. Our missionaries and 
mission property were under the protection of the Bri- 
tish, hence came under ban, as the natives could not 
discriminate. The story of the massacre of five of our 
devoted band at Rotifunk is a part of Church history. 
Bishop Kephart was first of the bishops to visit the 
stricken land after the massacre. As he approached 
Eotifunk by a railroad constructed since his former 
visit, and by hammock, we can but imagine the emotion 
which stirred his heart. In a letter written from Roti- 
funk, December 19, 1899, he describes his journey and 
tells some things he has learned of the martyred saints : 

Rotifunk, "West Africa, Dec. 19, 1899. 
We left Freetown for Rotifunk on the 15th inst., by rail- 
road; that is, Brothers J. R. and E. A. King, Albert, Todd, 
and myself, arriving in the latter named place on the 
morning of the 14th. About forty miles of the way we came 
by rail, and the remaining twenty-three miles in the ham- 
mock and on foot. This railroad is a great thing for this 
country, notwithstanding it is a "narrow guage" — two feet 
six inches. It passes through a beautiful country, and will 
be finished to Rotifunk complete by July or August. The 
grading is now almost finished to within a mile of this 
place. The road is to be extended on to Moyamba, a distance of 



255 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

twenty miles from Rotifunk, and from there on down the 
coast, via Manoh, south and east. The country through 
which it is to pass is very rich in palm-nut, rubber and 
natural resources, and is capable of almost endless develop- 
ment. This whole section, from Freetown to Moyamba, is a 
volcanic region. I passed over the section from Rotifunk 
to Moyamba in a hammock, and almost all the rock in the 
section is pure lava. In at least one instance, for more than 
a mile it is a solid sheet of lava which once, in the remote 
past, was ejected from the crater of a now extinct volcano, 
the cone of which stood to our right as we passed, the top 
of which seems almost to pierce the heavens. In some 
primitive period of the world's history, here the hissing 
fires in maddening fury rushed down these mountain-sides, 
carrying death and ruin in onward rush to the plain below. 
But these ashes and decayed scoria now serve as the great 
fertilizers of this rich region, and produce a growth of 
vegitation that is indescribable, and can be appreciated 
only by those who look upon it in its gorgeous beauty. 
I was enabled to make a slight examination of its geological 
strata by the means of a well being dug near the govern- 
ment barracks at Moyamba, and the assistance rendered by 
Captain Clark, who is in command of the West Africa 
forces at this point. I found the strata develops this strange 
fact, that prior to the volcanic eruption in this region, a 
strata of lime rock spread over this section, and was then 
surface rock, but the molten lava burned the lime, and in 
the long series of years which have elapsed the lime has 
slaked, and now it is being used by the natives in con- 
structing their houses, and for whitewashing them. 

Owing to the jealousy and warlike disposition of the 
tribes, the mineral products have not been developed. Just 
south of Moyamba there is silver and some gold. Three 
Americans were engaged in prospecting in this region, and 
made the discoveries named when the late war came on. 
One of the party, the old man, was killed, and the other 
two made their escape. This information I received from 
Captain Clark. 

I have, as closely as possible, investigated the circum- 
stances of the death of our missionaries at this place. By 
actual measurement, as to the locality, the following are 
the facts: 

256 



Fifth Quadrennium, 1897-1901 



Rumors of the war reached the mission not earlier than 
Sunday, May 1, 1898. That night all the missionaries, with 
the school children, slept in the woods west of the line of 
the mission property. On Monday morning, May 2, 
Brother Cain sent all the mission boys, twenty-one in num- 
ber, to Freetown by the country road, and put the girls in 
care of Sarah Raner, to conceal them in hiding in the 
woods. On Monday night, May 2, the missionaries, Mr. and 
Mrs. Cain, the Misses Drs. Archer and Hatfield and Miss 
Schenck, also Thomas Hallowell, Jonathan Weaver, and a 
boy, again slept in the woods. Early in the morning of May 
3 all started from their place of hiding for Freetown over- 
land south, having utterly failed to get boatmen to carry 
them via the river and sea. They reached a point on the 
main road 1,275 yards from the mission house in the direc- 
tion of Freetown, when they were captured by the infuri- 
ated mob of warriors, taken back to the mission grounds, 
and killed. Brother Cain and Dr. Archer were killed 1,150 
yards from the place of capture in the road, right in front 
of the girls' home, and 125 yards from the mission house 
proper. Brother Cain was killed first. He was shot by one 
Bah Young. Miss Schenck was killed in the barrack, 1,025 
yards from the place of capture. Miss Hatfield, and prob- 
ably Mrs. Cain, were killed in front of the mission house. 
They were all killed within half an hour of the time 
Brother Cain fell, probably within ten minutes. There is 
not the slightest evidence that any one of them was tor- 
tured, or in any sense outraged, but killed outright. Mrs. 
Cain was killed by the son of the man who shot Brother 
Cain. His name was Murgbah. The following are the 
names of the men who were hanged at Kwellu for the mur- 
der of our five missionaries in Rotifunk: Parparmange, 
Suri Mango, Lompabargo, Bah Young, Murgbah. The last 
two named killed Brother and Sister Cain, as per evidence 
developed in the court at Kwellu. As for Brother and Sis- 
ter McGrew, it is quite probable they both were beheaded 
and died about the same time, through the treachery of the 
chief who held them prisoners, for which he was most 
justly hanged. These are the men who killed Brother Mc- 
Grew: Pahoe and Conowah. Sister McGrew was killed by 
Pharseneh and Sonta Murweh, all of whom were hanged ex- 
cept the last named, who escaped arrest. 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

As I sat in my hammock and saw the possibilities of 
this land of night and sin, as compared with what it now 
is; as I passed from village to village and saw royalty in 
its sin and shame, as manifested in chief and subject, I 
could not refrain from singing aloud: 

"What though the spicy breezes 

Blow soft o'er Ceylon's isle, 
Though every prospect pleases, 
And only man is vile." 

As I mused, I began to contrast the lowest types of 
Christianity with the best forms of paganism. I thought 
of Christianity as it obtains under the papacy; and as I re- 
flected upon the many criticisms I had made, the tears 
started to course their way down my cheeks, and I prom- 
ised God that in the future, even if other types of Chris- 
tianity were not up to my own ideal, I would withhold 
my fault-finding, and strive to unite the good in all forms 
of Christ's church for the salvation of the whole family of 
mankind. On, any, any form of religion that has Jesus in 
it is infinitely better than the best forms of paganism that 
have ever glittered in the light of day! I am well, and the 
missionaries are well. E. B. Kephart. 

P. S. — We have just had a conference with the chief, 
Yambassolu, and his counselors, who agree to furnish men 
to make bricks and help build the church at Rotifunk. 
They will commence brick-making at once. The church will 
be of brick, and a fine one. The chief is greatly in earnest 
to push the work. E. B. K. 

Two more letters, dated January 8 and January 11, 
1900, complete his account of this visit to Africa, and 
voyage to Europe. 

Freetown, West Africa, January 8, 1900. 
I have just completed my visitations of the different mis- 
sion stations, and found them in a much better condition 
than I had anticipated; that is, the conditions for commenc- 
ing mission work are more favorable than I had expected. 
Since the close of the war the country seems to be taking 
on new life, and the people are more favorably impressed 
with the importance of civilized life, and the blessings of 



258 



Fifth Quadrennium, 1897-1901 



civilization, As a result, they are multiplying their farms, 
greatly enlarging them, and adopting new methods of work. 
I shall give but one fact as an illustration. Seven and nine 
years ago, as I passed up and down the Bompeh River, 
the same route leading to Rotifunk, there were only a few 
small patches of rice planted in the valley, but at the pres- 
ent time there are large fields of the finest rice I ever saw 
growing in any country. I would say there are now hun- 
dreds of acres of rice in that district, where seven years 
ago there was comparatively little. Then, too, the art of 
cultivation is much improved, and the conditions of civiliza- 
tion are taking root among the people. Throughout the 
war district most of the towns and villages were destroyed 
during the war, and the people scattered, but now they are 
returning to their old homes and rebuilding their towns. 
In doing this they as a rule are erecting better buildings, 
and more in accord with civilized customs and habits. Rot- 
ifunk, Bompeh, and Palli, on the Bompeh River, are also re- 
built. The little stone church at Bompeh was not destroyed. 
As we passed down the river I preached at Palli in the 
afternoon, and at the request of the chief, Caraba Caulker, 
I preached in the little stone church in Bompeh that 
night. The chief is very anxious to have all the mission 
stations in his district opened. At this place I, together 
with Brother Todd, got into a nest of drivers (a kind of 
ant), and they made it exceedingly lively for us. The 
attack was so fierce and so prolonged that I had to have 
the brethren sing an extra hymn while I arranged my toilet 
for preaching. The old story that drivers are poisonous is 
a humbug, for Brothers Todd, Albert, and I can speak from 
experience on this subject. 

The town of Shenge is being rebuilt by the chief, wife of 
Neal Caulker, who was killed in the war. This town never 
looked so well as it does now. Is it because a woman, a 
Christian woman, is now the chief? The walls of the 
training-school are intact, and this building, as well as the 
Flickinger Chapel, will soon be in process of repair. Under 
the judicious management of Brother King this work will, 
I think, in the near future be done. It is a sad sight to 
look on the ruins wrought by war. The new small mission- 
house at Shenge is now ready for occupancy, and, I pre- 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

sume right after the conference, which convenes this week, 
Brother and Sister Albert will occupy it. Brothers and 
Sisters Todd and King will occupy the new mission-house 
at Rotifunk, which is now ready for occupation. 

Avery is a sad sight. Every building at this station was 
destroyed. The walls of the old mission-house are stand- 
ing, and in good condition, except a portion of one of the 
end walls has fallen; but this could be relaid, as all, or 
about all, of the bricks are there. The walls are of stone 
and brick, the brick having been brought from England 
forty years ago, I presume. This building should be re- 
fitted and the station opened. The saw-mill is completely 
destroyed. The other stations in the Bargru district were 
annihilated also, but a number of them have been already 
opened, and the work is moving forward along right 
lines. 

I spent some six or seven nights in a little boat in these 
awful mangrove swamps on these rivers of Africa; but, 
God be praised, I have not been sick an hour since I left 
my native land. . . . The war spirit is quieted, and from 
all appearances everything is safe. But one thing is a lit- 
tle suggestive — namely, the natives all over this country 
seem to be informed as to the progress of the war in South 
Africa, and are much interested in it. Hence I have ad- 
vised our missionaries to take no chances, but to be vigil- 
ant, and keep in touch with the government. The new rail- 
road will be a wonderful factor here in mission work, and 
along this line we should let no opportunity go unimproved. 
The grading is now going on in the mission grounds at 
Rotifunk, and the trains will be run in the near future. 

He landed at Genoa, J anuary 27, in the evening, and 
took the train for Eome, where he arrived the next 
morning. He visited St. Peter's, the Colosseum, palaces 
of the Caesars, and other places described in his journal 
on a previous visit. From Naples he sailed to Cairo. 
February 1, he stopped at Messina, Sicily: "Visited 
the city, the cathedral, and an old convent in 
which one hundred and twenty young women 



260 



Fifth Quadrennium, 1897-1901 

were put, all of whom are now dead except three, 
one of whom is now ninety years old. They have never 
seen the light of day since they were put in. I saw the 
place where they were put in and through which they 
receive their food. Oh, Jesus, what outrages are perpe- 
trated in thy pure name and palmed off as religion! 
The blood of the prophets and the saints truly are found 
in the Boman Catholic Church. How long, 0 Lord ! 
how long will this Babylon, will this man of sin, con- 
tinue to wither and curse the world ? We sailed at 1 : 00 
p. m. Saw the peaks of Mt. Etna. The southern coast 
of Italy is beautiful and picturesque in the extreme." 

"Feb. 4. — We landed in Alexandria at 8 a. m. and 
I took the train for Cairo at 9 a. m. and arrived in 
Cairo at 12 : 30. The country between the two places 
named is as level as a floor and no limit scarcely to its 
productiveness. It comes up, in every respect, to all 
that history, sacred and profane, has said of its fertility. 
I visited the American Mission in the afternoon and 
preached for them in the evening at six o'clock. Text, 
Luke 8:18; Heb. 2:3. Had quite a chill of ague. 
Took a good dose of quinine and slept well. It is Africa 
cropping out. This is the Sabbath of the Lord. 

"Feb. 5.— Got up at 7 : 30 a. m. Took breakfast at 
8 a. m. and then in a cab went out to the pyramids. 
There are really six of them, three quite in ruins. Vis- 
ited the Sphinx, also the Temple of the Sphinx. This 
temple is built of granite brought from Assuan. The 
Sphinx is cut from the native lime rock and is slowly 
wearing away. The pyramids disappoint in two ways : 
1. At a distance they do not appear so grand as you 



261 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

had anticipated. 2. When you approach them they are 
anything you had conceived of them. I also visited the 
tombs adjacent to the pyramids but they are slowly 
being filled up with sand. In the afternoon I visited 
the capitol with the different mosques; also visited the 
tombs of the Mamelukes ; saw the place where they were 
entrapped and killed. It was between the inner and 
the outer gate. Also saw the place where the only one 
escaped by Ins horse leaping over the wall into the 
street, more than twenty feet below. The horse was 
killed but the rider escaped. The tombs are grand in 
the extreme. The great Mosque of Omar is built of 
alabaster. I am exceedingly tired but feel much better 
than I did on last night. 

"Feb. 6. — Visited old Cairo, and crossed the Nile in 
a small sailboat and visited the Museum at Ghizeh and 
returned to the Hotel Bristol, my hotel, for lunch. In 
the afternoon visited Heliopolis. Stood on the sight 
of the old temple in the city of On, saw the obelisk 
Joseph saw, was under the sycamore tree which tradi- 
tion says Mary and Joseph sat under and rested with 
the infant J esus. I also saw the sacred fount in which 
Jesus was bathed. It is over 300 feet deep. It was 
dug in the days of the Pharaohs. A cow was drawing 
water with the old sweet wheel when I was there. Took 
the train at 8 p. m. for Luxor. The day was one of 
great interest to me. There is not a vestige of the city 
of On remaining except the obelisk and the old well 
and heaps of rubbish." 

After visiting Luxor and Karnak, where he took de- 
light in the ruins of the ancient temples and cities, he 



262 



Fifth Quadrennium, 1897-1901 

hastened back to Cairo, thence to Port Said, and, Febru- 
ary 8, he sailed for Joppa where we shall resume the 
journal and accompany him through the land of our 
Lord which he most desired to visit. What gratitude 
and joy he must have felt as he looked upon the places 
made sacred by hallowed association. 

"Feb. 9. — Arrived in Joppa at 10 a. m. Took a 
donkey and guide and visited the house and tomb of 
Dorcas or Tabitha. You descend about half a dozen 
steps into the tomb. I also visited the house of Simon, 
the tanner. Was all through the house and was up on 
the roof of the house. The old millstones are deeply 
furrowed by the ropes with which they have been draw- 
ing water for ages. Everything about the place fills all 
the conditions of the New Testament description of the 
historical fact. I then took the train for Jerusalem 
and arrived in the old sacred city at 4:50 p. M. and 
was met by William Barakat and taken to the Grand 
Hotel. I passed over the Sharon Valley, saw the Valley 
of Esdraelon, of Gaza, of Ekron, and saw Samson's Rock 
and the cave where the Philistines attempted to take 
him; also passed by Arimathea and Lydia. Also the 
Valley of Ajalon. 

"Feb. 10. — Took breakfast at 8 a. m., and at 9 a. m. 
started with Mr. Barakat and little son to visit the 
notable places of the sacred city. Jerusalem has a pop- 
ulation of not less than 70,000. I visited in the fol- 
lowing order: 1. The Holy Sepulchre. 2. Temple of 
St. John, a new church by the Emperor of Germany. 
3. The old Damascus Gate. 4. The Armenian Mon- 
astery on the site of Herod's palace. 5. The house of 



263 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

Caiaphas. 6. David's Tomb. 7. The Robinson Arch. 
8. Jews' Wailing Place. 9. Down across the brook 
Kedron by the tombs of J ehoshaphat and St. James and 
Zachariah, who perished between the porch and the 
altar. 10. The Garden of Gethsemane. 11. The Rock 
of St. Stephen and all around the wall of the city and 
back to the hotel. 

"Feb. 11. — This is the Lord's day and I concluded I 
would go to the place where the Word became flesh and 
first manifested itself upon the earth, Bethlehem. We 
left the hotel in Jerusalem about 9 a. m. and went by 
carriage direct to the place of the nativity. Bethlehem 
lies south of Jerusalem about six miles and has a popu- 
lation of about 13,000. I went into the great church 
which stands over the manger in which the Christ was 
laid when a babe. In this church is represented the 
Armenian, the Greek, and the Roman Catholic 
churches; the Armenian on the right, the Greek the 
center, and the Catholic on the left, as you go in. The 
Greek Church controls the manger, but the Catholic 
may enter to the manger. A great strife has obtained 
between the Greek, Armenian, and Catholic about who 
should have control, and it was with a great sum paid 
to the Turk that this privilege was secured. About 
two miles distant stands the Tomb of Rachel, and across 
the valley on a hill stands Zelah, where Saul and Jon- 
athan were buried, that is, to the right as you go down to 
Bethlehem from Jerusalem. To the southeast of Beth- 
lehem stands the high peak on which Herod the Great 
built his summer palace, and on this peak he was buried. 
It is now called the Frank Mountain. To get to the 



264 



Fifth Quadrennium, 1897-1901 

manger in which the babe Jesus lay, you have to de- 
scend about three steps. I think it is the place where 
our blessed Lord was once laid. 

"Feb. 12.— Went down to the Jordan and the Dead 
Sea. Was splashed by the waters of the sea, for a great 
storm was on at that time. Brought some stones away 
with me. Bathed my hands and face in the Jordan. 
Cut a cane and a reed on the banks of the Jordan. 
Passed through Bethany. Saw the tomb of Lazarus, 
and saw where Jesus stood and wept over the devoted 
city. Visited Elisha's Fountain and old Jericho. 
Stopped for the night at the G-ilgal Hotel. Saw all 
the remains of Gilgal and old Jericho; also saw Mt. 
Pisgah and Mt. G-ilead. The whole scenery is wonder- 
fully impressive. 

"Feb. 13. — Left Jericho for Jerusalem at 8 a. m. 
Climbed to the top of the ruins of the palace of Herod 
the Great. Saw the pool in which Herod was drowned 
by his brother-in-law. Saw monastery built over 
Elisha's Cave, where the ravens fed him in the Valley 
of Charity. In the afternoon visited Pilate's house or 
hall in which Jesus was condemned; also visited the 
Armenian Catholic Monastery and the Pool of Bethesda 
that was troubled by the angel. I saw the water; it is 
now twenty feet below the present buildings, which are 
built on great stone arches and columns. 

"Feb. 14. — Visited the Mosque of Omar and Mosque 
El Aksa. Dimensions of Mosque of Omar : Eight sides, 
68 x 48 feet; dome, 68 x 96 feet; windows, 56. Directly 
under the dome is the great native Sacrificial Eock on 
which the Jews offer up sacrifices. It undoubtedly was 



265 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Xephart 

their great altar for sacrifice in the Temple of Solomon. 
All this in the Mosque of Omar. To the Mohammedan, 
heaven is underneath the El Aksa, and after death each 
good man is to have eighty wives. This is inscribed 
on the wall of El Aksa. There is no room for doubt 
but that these two mosques occupy the site of Solomon's 
Temple. The excavations demonstrate this fact. The 
many pieces of sculpture and columns found in the 
excavations have brought much to light respecting this 
whole subject. Many carvings and columns in the 
mosques are from the Temple of Solomon. On the 
entrance of the Mosque El Aksa is this inscription: 
'Peace be to yours when you come to live in Paradise.' 
This afternoon I visited the quarries of King Solomon. 
They extend directly under the city on Mt. Moriah. 
The Holy Sepulchre and Calvary are directly over the 
great quarry. I was all through it. They cut the rock 
with a wheel and many rocks quarried remain unused. 
I then went to the Mount of Olives, to the spot marked 
in all history as the place where Jesus ascended to 
heaven. I know of no place on earth more suitable for 
an event of that kind. You can see the Jordan, the 
Dead Sea, the Mountains of Moab, Mt. Pisgah, Jericho, 
Jerusalem, all the Mountains of Judaea. It is per- 
fectly wonderful. I also visited the American mission- 
aries who have been here eighteen years waiting for 
the coming of our Lord. God help them! 

"Feb. 15. — In the morning I packed up my trappings 
and made preparation to start for Nazareth and Galilee. 
Took lunch at 11:30 a. m. and left Jerusalem at 2:30 
p. m. on horseback. Went down over the Kedron and 



266 



Fifth Quadrennium, 1897-1901 

turned to the north over Mount Scopus. The first ruins 
we passed were Shafa, at the judgment place in Jewish 
times. 2. Ancient Moab, the city of the priest of Ben- 
jamin. 3. Gibeah of Saul. 4. Mispeh and Gibeon to 
the left of the road. 5. The Eamah of Benjamin to the 
right. 6. The Mount of Ephraim and the ruins of the 
ancient city of Ephraim. On this mount Deborah used 
to come and judge Israel. 7. Eamallah — and here 
we tarry for the night in the Latin monastery. Mr. 
William Barakat is my dragoman. I visited the Quaker 
Mission in Eamallah. It is an American Mission. Eev. 
Mr. Eoundtree is superintendent of the mission. 

"Feb. 16.— I left Eamallah at 7 :30 a. m. The first 
ruin we passed was ancient Beeroth. Here Mary and 
Joseph missed Jesus on their return from Jerusalem, 
when he was twelve years old. It was the north bound- 
ary of Benjamin. 2. Bethel — all that remains are ruins. 
Here Abraham built his altar, and here also Jacob saw 
the ladder let down from heaven. It is a grand and 
awful place. I took a snap-shot of the place. 3. Ophrah, 
the city of the judges. Here Gideon played his part in 
Israel. 4. Bael-Hazor. 5. Shiloh ; here the first temple 
was built to God; here Joshua divided the country to 
the twelve tribes. We took lunch here and I then went 
up on the top of all that remains of Shiloh — except 
heaps of ruins. I also went down into a lower chamber. 
Four columns yet stand and support great arches. 6. 
The ruins of Lebonah. Here the daughters of Israel 
came down in the plain to dance, and the sons of Eph- 
raim caught them and carried them away for wives. 
7. Michna, 8. Jacob's Well, Tomb of Joseph, and 

267 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

Salem, the city of Abraham. I went down to the well 
and had an excellent view of it and could see the water. 
The attendant let down a small pole and drew up some 
water. I took a good drink and had a bottle filled with 
the water and am taking it home. I then went on to 
Shechem and tarried for the night. The mountains 
by the way are honeycombed with Jewish tombs. We 
had an excellent view of Mt. Gerizim and Mt. Ebal. 
Shechem has a population of 30,000. 

"Feb. 1". — I left Shechem at 7 'Ad a. m. and arrived 
in Samaria about ten o'clock. The city is beautifully 
situated on a hill. Here Herod had a magnificent 
palace; many of the columns are to be seen, some are 
broken, all are thrown down. Only about two hundred 
people are left. We then passed on through a drenching 
rain to Dothan; here we took our lunch in a mill. At 
Dothan J oseph's brethren sold him into Egypt. I saw the 
pit or well into which it is said he was put. Every con- 
dition mentioned in the Bible is fulfilled in this mag- 
nificent valley. Here Elisha closed the eyes of the 
people so that they might not go to fight against the 
king of Samaria. We passed on over the hill and down 
the valley of Baalam. Here in this valley I counted 
four old wells. It was once a wonderful valley. From 
Dothan almost to Engannim, where we tarry for the 
night, are some of the finest olive-groves in the world. 
This is now a Mohammedan town of about 2,000 popu- 
lation. This city was the boundary between Zebulun 
and Xaphtali. 

"Feb. 18. — Left Engannim at 7:00 a. m. and passed 
through: 1. Megiddo; 2. Jezreel, city of Jezebel; 3. 



268 



Fifth Quadreimium, 1897-1901 

Shunem, the city of the Shunammites; 4. Nain; 5. 
Bashan; 6. Mt. Gilboa, the village of Mezer; 7. Lit- 
tle Hermon; 8. Mt. Tabor; 9. Nazareth, all of which 
are in the valley of Jezreel. 

"Feb. 19. — Left Nazareth, the city in which Jesus 
lived, at 7:30 a. m., and visited: 1. Jaffa of Nazareth; 
2. Magdala, the birthplace of James and Andrew; 3. 
Mt. Carmel and the Hill of Sacrifice; 4. The Eiver 
Gishon; 5. Haifa, a sea coast town of the Hebrews; 
6. Acra. 

"Feb. 20. — Landed in Beyrout at 7 :30 a. m. and was 
conveyed to shore by the proprietor of the Hotel de 
Orient, to whom I had a letter from Mr. W. Barakat of 
Jerusalem. He assisted me through the customs, and 
just then I was met by Mr. Joseph Barakat, father of 
Doctor Barakat of Union Biblical Seminary, Dayton, 
Ohio, and his sister, Sarah Barakat, who took me to 
their home. They are a lovely family. Mr. Barakat is 
a lawyer, and of high social standing. In religion he 
is a Greek as are all the members of his family. His 
brother is high judge of the court in Beyrout. He and 
family called on me and spent the evening. I visited 
the Syrian Protestant College in company with Miss 
Barakat and met the president, Eev. Daniel Bliss, D.D., 
who is a very bright man. The college is doing a great 
work for this country. Its present number of students 
is 430. Its buildings and grounds are most delightfully 
located near the sea. Its surroundings are excellent 
and its buildings are fine. I have just been informed 
that the snow on Mt. Lebanon is so heavy that it is not 
safe to attempt to go to Damascus. 



269 



Jjife of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

"Feb. 21. — The forenoon I spent at Mr. Joseph Bar- 
akat's; in the afternoon, in company with Miss Sarah 
Barakat and her sister and a daughter of Judge Bar- 
akat, I went to the High Court of Mt. Lebanon, distant 
from Beyrout about eight miles. It is really the capital 
of the province of Mt. Lebanon, Syria. The buildings 
are beautifully situated on one of the lofty peaks of Mt. 
Lebanon. I was introduced to the governor of the 
province, Naoom-Pasha. He is an Armenian Christian 
and much of a gentleman. I was also introduced to all 
the members or judges of the High Court, one of whom 
was Judge Barakat. Shook hands with each member of 
this Supreme Court. I visited the Lower Court and 
was introduced to the Attorney- General of State; also 
to the Commanding Colonel of the Military as well as 
to the other members of the different departments of 
state. They are all a class of noble men. This province, 
while in a sense independent since 1860, is nevertheless 
in Turkey; but it is Christian and not Mohammedan. 
It is well governed, and the conditions of society are 
far in advance of those sections in Turkey, ruled by 
the Turk. This visit gave me a much better acquaint- 
ance with the heads of the different departments of the 
government than I could have obtained in any other 
way. They seemed to consider it a great honor con- 
ferred upon them for a bishop from America to pay 
them a visit. Oh ! how wretchedly stupid we ministers 
are, in so often not showing our interest and sympathy 
with men connected with the affairs of state, by visiting 
them and associating with them on all proper occasions. 
In the evening I dined with Judge Barakat and family, 



270 



Fifth Quadrennium, 1897-1901 

accompanied by Joseph Barakat and family. Had a 
most pleasant day. 

"Feb. 22.— Took the train at 7 :05 a. m. for Malaka 
and from thence to Baalbec by carriage. If all the 
ruins of Palestine, Greece, and Some were put together 
they would not make Baalbec. I think the foundation 
was Phoenician, but undoubtedly the balance was 
Roman. The columns are some of them seventy feet 
high by seven feet in diameter; others sixty by six. 
Some of the stones in the wall are sixty-two feet long 
by twelve feet square. I do not see a single reason why 
it should be said, "It was the work of Solomon." Only 
the foundation has anything resembling Jewish work. 
I am confident it was no temple of the sun, but the 
temple of Jupiter and other Roman gods; but the 
Arab and an earthquake reduced it to a ruin. I also 
visited the quarry from which the rock was taken. It 
is near by. One stone cut and finished remains in the 
quarry. It is eighty-two feet long and sixteen feet 
square. As I looked on the great stone, I thought of 
the last day the last man struck the last blow that 
finished the work. I thought of the last moment when 
he laid down his tools and said, "It is finished/' and 
then turned away and plodded home for the last time; 
but the great stone remains just as the workman left 
it at the close of his weary toil. The world has waged 
its way onward; generations have come and gone, em- 
pires have since been born and have decayed. Nations 
have dispersed from earth but the old stone remains to 
tell to future generations the sad, sad story of human 
vanity and human woe ! 



271 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

"Feb. 23.— At 7 :30 a. m. I took my last look on the 
Great Temple. The dream of my young life was now 
realized ; I had seen Luxor and Karnak ; Jerusalem the 
Golden and the Dead Sea; I had looked upon Bethle- 
hem, Shiloh, and Nazareth, drunk from the well out of 
which the patriarchs, the prophets, and Jesus had 
drunk; seen the ruins of the greatest temple ever 
erected by the hand of man: and then came over me 
a sense of human greatness, coupled with human weak- 
ness, such as I had never realized, and I wept like a 
child over the sins and the sorrows of my sad, stricken 
race. Oh, that He might come in my day who says He 
will make all things new! I arrived in Beyrout at 
4:15 p. m. and was met at the station by Mr. Joseph 
Barakat and his daughter Sarah. I dined with them in 
their home and at 5 :30 p. M. went on board the steamer 
Achile, Austrian Lloyd's, and sailed for Constantinople. 

"Feb. 28. — We landed at Rhodes this a. m. and I 
went on shore. Visited the city; saw the foundation 
of the old Colossus of Rhodes, one of the seven wonders 
of the world. The population of the island is 30,000. 
The city is quite clean and the people look very well. 
We also passed the city of Cas on the island of the same 
name. These are remarkable in the life of St. Paul. 

"March 1. — We landed at Chio at 6 a. m. and sailed 
at 7 :40 a. m. This city is said to be the birthplace of 
Homer. It is quite a nice clean city. At 2 p. m. we 
landed in Smyrna; went on shore and visited all the 
chief parts of the city; then took the street-car and 
rode to the extremities of the city. Smyrna has a pop- 
ulation of 325,000. It was visited by Paul and was 



272 



BISHOP EZEKIEL B. KEPHART 

i'om a photograph taken after the General Conference 
of 1901, and which is regarded as the one most 
pleasing and satisfactory in expression. 



Fifth Quadrennium, 1897-1901 

prominent in early church history. It is under the 
Turkish government but the people are largely Greek. 
The streets are quite clean, but very narrow. The people 
and the city are quite an improvement over the cities 
of Asia Minor. I returned to the ship at 6 p. M. My 
health is good; wrote an article for the Telescope and 
a letter to dear Eex and Dwight. 

"March 2. — This morning, in company with Mr. 
Arter, wife, and daughter of Cleveland, Ohio, and 
Doctor Holmes, and Mr. Harnheim, I started at 7 :45 
for Ephesus, a distance of about fifty miles from 
Smyrna. The old city is wholly in ruins. I know of 
no other city so completely destroyed. The temple of 
Diana is a pile of ruins, as are all the temples, forums, 
theaters, and palaces. It must have been a magnificent 
city. The unspeakable Arab has done his work of ruin 
here as well as elsewhere. Not a vestige of the church 
at Ephesus remains even to mark the site where it 
once stood. Surely God "has removed the candlestick 
out of its place." The city stood on a beautiful plain 
and on the foot hills of magnificent mountains. Now 
the site of the city is plowed as a field, the plowshare 
strikes beautifully carved columns and turns up mag- 
nificently executed specimens of Parian marble, once 
the adornment of palaces. Oh, how sad this ruin is, 
and all, too, the fruit of sin and shame. I saw many 
beautifully wrought sarcophagi of stone. They are now 
empty; the lids of some are on, others are off and 
broken. At 2 p. M. we took the train for Myrna where 
we arrived at 4 p. M. and sailed at five. I am quite 
weary this evening; have walked not less than eight 



18 



273 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 



or ten miles. We stopped for two hours at the Darda- 
nelles and looked as best we could from the ship over the 
historic scenes. As we passed up the strait we saw the 
plains of Troy and looked upon the waters crossed by 
Alexander the Great when he passed by into Asia, The 
landscapes of Macedonia are grand and beautiful. The 
strait would likely average two miles in width. Noth- 
ing of note has transpired during the day. I am ex- 
ceedingly weary of the slow trip from Beyrout to 
Constantinople, nine days; it should have been accom- 
plished in four days. To-morrow morning we land in 
Constantinople if all goes well/ 5 

Leaving Constantinople the evening of March -4. he 
hastened to Germany, arriving in Zeitz the evening of 
the seventh. On the eighth he preached and lectured 
in Weimar. On the ninth he filled similar engagements 
at another place. 

"March 11. — Had a good day at Gollnow; preached 
in the morning: text, I. John 3:2: talked in the after- 
noon and administered communion to a very great 
number of persons. Seven persons united with the 
Church. The work here is very prosperous. Bev. Mr. 
Kuhn is pastor and a very efficient man indeed. The 
religious life of the church here is most excellent. 

"March 12. — Left Gollnow at about 9 a. m. and went 
direct to Stargard where I preached to a large congre- 
gation from II. Cor. 8:9 and then lectured on Africa. 
I have been talking two and three times a day since I 
came to Germany and am very weary and need rest. 

"March 13. — Left Stargard this a. M. before seven 
and reached Brownsberg at 10 a. m. The day is very 



274 



Fifth Quadrennium, 1897-1901 

cold and the northwest wind is blowing. Had a very 
rough trip of it. Eode out about six or eight miles in 
a wagon without springs. The road is rough for a 
carriage and we had to take it as best we could (Broth- 
ers Barkameyer and Speigel accompanied me). My 
health is quite good, yes, very good. 

"March 14. — Spent the day in Brownsberg in the 
ministerial meeting and attended preaching in the 
evening. Brownsberg has a population of about six 
hundred. It is surrounded by a good farming com- 
munity. Eye bread is the bread of the country; also 
they have a very fine quality of potatoes. The customs 
and habits of the people are very strange. Xo member 
of the family dines with us. Often we do not have any 
bread ; only potatoes- and meat ; but the family is oblig- 
ing to a fault. They give me all the hot milk I want 
to drink. 

"March 15. — I convened the conference this morning 
at nine o'clock. All the members were present at roll- 
call. The reports of the pastors are good, but there 
is not so large an increase as desired. The sessions are 
very pleasant. This evening I am to talk on Africa and 
Palestine. I received my steamer ticket this morning 
and will now sail, the Lord willing, for America on the 
twenty-first on the Germanic. My health is good but 
I am almost homesick." On Sunday, the eighteenth, 
he preached the conference sermon in Brownsburg, and 
administered the communion in the afternoon. The 
services were excellent, as God was manifestly present. 
But he was weary with travel and work and was longing 
for home. He exclaims : "Oh, how glad I am, and 



275 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

thankful to God, that he has brought me safe to this 
hour of starting to my loved ones across the sea. May 
his hand guide me safely to my home." 

On March 21, he sailed on the Germanic from Liver- 
pool for New York. The voyage was without unusual 
incident save in the severity of a storm, March 27, 
which he thus describes: "About noon there came one 
of the most severe gales I have experienced while at 
sea. Some of the passengers were almost wild with 
fear; one gentleman, a Presbyterian minister, would 
not hear to anything but that we would go to the bot- 
tom of the sea before morning, and when he retired he 
said, 'I will meet you in heaven in the morning/ I 
told him I was sorry he was going to be disappointed 
for we surely would not go down as he supposed. He 
was so exceedingly seasick and nervous that he was 
almost wild. The great waves rolled over the ship, that 
it seemed it would smash everything to pieces. The 
captain stopped the ship and seemed to let her roll. It 
was the best thing to do. We did not make more than 
four or five knots an hour, but about 4 a. m. the storm 
abated. We will now make New York before Friday 
A. M. I think. All are well this a. m. I did not get 
seasick ; thank the Lord." 

On March 29, he approached the shore, giving ex- 
pression to the sentiment: "What shall I render unto 
Him for all his benefits unto me? I will take the cup 
of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord." The 
evening of March 30 he arrived in Annville, to join 
with his loved ones in praising God for his great good- 
ness. 



276 



Fifth Quadrennium, 1897-1901 



The autumn of 1900 found him at his post in his 
annual conferences. In writing of the sessions on his 
district, he says: "There was not a jar in any of the 
meetings/' He mentions the various interests of the 
different conferences, commending, as was his habit, 
every good point. Indeed he was always grieved if he 
thought he had failed to give a word of honest com- 
mendation and praise, when an honest opportunity 
was presented. He also cites some of the things in 
which the conferences, respectively, can improve. He 
fears the Church is not sufficiently attentive in "looking 
after and encouraging those whom God has called, to 
prepare themselves well and go into the ministry." 



277 



"The Lord hath done great things for us ; whereof we are glad." 
— Psalm 126 : 5. 

"We are brethren." — Otterbein. 

"After the folding up of the hours of a century of illustrious 
struggle and commendable progress, a Christian denomination does 
well to summon itself to a just appreciation of the agencies which 
the Almighty raised up a while ago for building the walls of his 
spiritual kingdom. To do so is to honor God. It is to know his 
ways better. It is also to be more largely equipped for the tasks 
of the century to come." — Bishop J. W. Hott. 

"And these all, having had witnesses borne to them through 
their faith received not the promise, God having provided some 
better thing concerning us, that apart from us they should not be 
made perfect." — Hebrews. 



278 



CHAPTER XVII. 



SIXTH QUADRENNIUM, 1901-1905. 

The Centennial General Conference convened in the 
city of Frederick, Md., May 9, 1901. Bishop Weaver 
having been called from labor to reward, Bishop Castle 
as senior bishop, called the conference to order. 

The interests of this session centered in the Centen- 
nial Exercises. At the previous General Conference a 
Centennial Committee was appointed. An Executive 
Committee was formed from the Centennial Committee 
and known as "the United Brethren Pilgrimage Asso- 
ciation." His position as chairman of these two chief 
committees gave him much labor in correspondence and 
in attending special meetings necessary in the work of 
preparation for an event so important to the future of 
the Church. He also presented a paper on "The History 
and Development of Education in our Church," which 
is given in the chapter of this book presenting his work 
in connection with the educational interests of the 
Church. 

The Conference made a pilgrimage to the tomb of 
Otterbein and the church in Baltimore to which he 
ministered. Following is a reference to the event and 
the report of the brief speech of Bishop Kephart. 

"An immense gathering witnessed the beautiful and 
impressive consecration service conducted by the bishops 

279 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

at the grave where sleeps the dust of the sainted Otter- 
bein. To witness that scene was the privilege of a life- 
time. Bishop Castle presided and Bishop Kephart 
made the following address : 

At the grave of a great and good man is not the place for 
an individual, either in speech or in prayer, to attempt elo- 
quence. We are not here as hero worshipers, not here to 
worship men, but to recognize the life lived by a great and 
a good man, and to recognize, also, in a special sense, the 
Christ whom he recognized, and whose life in him made this 
great and good man what he was. We are not to hold him 
up as the model, but we are to recognize as our model the 
life of the faultless man, Jesus, whom our worthy ancestor 
sought to imitate, and whose life, in a sense, was simply 
the unfolding of the Christ life as it may be developed 
among men. 

As we stand by his tomb to-day, in the name of the 
Christ whom he adored, let us plight our faith anew to God, 
and then, in that good time, when the trump of God will 
pour forth its omniflc blast into the trembling universe, and 
death's wide empire quakes from its pole centers to its 
frigid circumference, and the dead will come forth, we, with 
him, in the presence of the King Eternal shall hear his 
voice, "Come, ye blessed of my Father." 

The success of the Review Association demonstrated 
the need of the quarterly, and the willingness of the 
Church to support it, and this General Conference again 
took charge of this periodical, placing it in the hands 
of the trustees of the Publishing House. Dr. George 
Mathews as editor-in-chief, and the department ed- 
itors, Bishop Kephart being one, had done their work 
gratuitously. 

He was always a strenuous opponent of the use of 
tobacco, especially by the ministers. The trips from 
Liverpool to Africa were sometimes rendered nause- 



280 




Bishop Kephart in company icith the other members of the Board of Bishops, 
at the tomb of Philip William Otterbein, Baltimore, Maryland, 
during the celebration of the Centennial General 
Conference, 1901. 



Sixth Quadrenniuin, 1901-1905 

ating because the ship was made foul by the use of 
tobacco. When this question was under discussion at 
Frederick, he gave expression to his sentiments. After 
referring to the efforts of civil statutes to correct the 
evils of cigarette smoking and the general use of to- 
bacco, he said: "The way to correct that great evil is 
to make our leaders clean and keep them clean in their 
bodies, their minds, and their souls, for the sake of the 
young manhood and boyhood of this country. For 
God's sake, for humanity's sake, let us strike at the 
ministry of the Church and take an advance movement 
in this direction. Clean in every particular." 

In the Conference as usual he was called upon to 
interpret Church law and to give his opinion of two 
translations of the same scripture as to which was cor- 
rect. 

The four bishops were reelected on the first ballot. 
Bishop Kephart was stationed on the Ohio District, 
and made Westerville his headquarters. He had twelve 
annual conferences and one mission district, the Chic- 
amauga, his territory extending into the States of Ohio, 
Indiana, Illinois, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana, 
thus stretching from the Lakes to the Gulf. In 1901 
he finds an awakening in the Church to her need edu- 
cationally, and a marked increase of benevolences. He 
was always interested in the work of the South. In 
the Year Book of 1902 he writes: "This Southern 
field promises to be the most fruitful for us if we, as a 
denomination, develop its rich possibilities. This will 
require two things at least: First, men and women 
consecrated to the cause of Christ to cultivate the field. 



281 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

Second, it will take money to start the work; but I 
know of no section in any of the States where we can 
accomplish so much at such a low cost. The preachers 
we send there must not be mere adventurers, who have 
failed in every field they have attempted to occupy ; they 
must be men of known ability and tried faithfulness. 
The colored brethren of the Chickamauga Conference 
have organized to form an industrial school at Chatta- 
nooga, Tennessee, which, if successful, will be of great 
benefit to their people. All the sessions of these con- 
ferences were of the most profound interest. Oh, for the 
baptism of power unto the whole Church. The reports 
given in the four Southern conferences were most en- 
couraging. God be with you all." 

Of his work in 1902, he says: "Our people are at 
peace one with another, and no strife obtains among the 
ministry of these conferences, in so far as manifested in 
the sessions. The thought of church union is at high 
tide throughout the district, the conferences all voting in 
favor of the union proposed." With his fall confer- 
ences in 1903 he is much pleased: "At least fifty per 
cent, more of the pastors than usual reported their as- 
sessments full. In one conference, the Ohio German, 
every report except one was full. There has been a very 
commendable increase of ministerial support also, but 
it is yet far below what it ought to be. The support 
thus far paid to our preachers affords barely a living. 
A much greater number of young men on the district 
received license to preach this fall than on former oc- 
casions. The Publishing House is one of our vital in- 
terests. This is having unparalleled prosperity at the 



282 



Sixth Quadrennium, 1901-1905 

present time under the existing wise management. With 
her buildings once completed, and her machinery all in, 
this plant will not only be a great credit to the denom- 
ination, but a great source of profit as well. 

"The greatest need in our Church, both North and 
South, is a better qualified and more consecrated min- 
istry and laity. Oh, Lord, put thy spirit upon the min- 
istry, and the people as well, of our beloved Zion." 

In his conferences of 1904, he finds : "The peace and 
harmony existing throughout the district are now about 
perfect, in so far as human perfection is a thing possi- 
ble in Church polity. The laws of the Church, as a 
rule, are faithfully observed. The district is in sym- 
pathy with a true and practical evangelism which saves 
men and brings them into the kingdom of God. 

"Our colored conference, the Chickamauga, has a 
school, and is forming it somewhat after the Booker T. 
Washington school. They need sympathy and support. 
We should give them both. The men of means in our 
Church have here in this Southland a rich field in which 
to bestow their goods in the interest of the kingdom of 
God. But the greatest need, both North and South, in 
our Church, is a greater number of better qualified men 
and women, and the means to support them better in 
these needy fields." 

Two letters of reminiscence, occasioned by visits to 
the old homestead, were written in this quadrennium, 
one of these being dated in 1904, and the other in 1905. 
These letters are unique in their simplicity and natural- 
ness. Every one will sympathize with the author in 
this tender sentiment for scenes of his childhood. May 



283 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

the life of the man not be explained in large part by his 
habitual prayer for "a wise and understanding heart ?" 

The second letter of reminiscence is found in the issue 
of the Telescope dated September 7, 1904. 

Dear Brother I. L.: — I have spent the last two Sabbaths 
at the Bigler camp-meeting. It was a great success in 
many respects. The order was exceptionally good, and I 
was more than pleased with the good sense exhibited by 
the young people of our native county. Brother J. I. L. 
Ressler was the presiding elder who had charge. Like his 
father, he is a noble man. While there I went down to 
Roaring Run, near by, where our father and mother were 
both baptized, and as I stood and looked into the water, oh, 
what memories of the past rushed upon me! Their pure, 
angelic lives, like a sheen of glory, stood before me. On 
Monday morning I took the train for Blue Ball, where I 
was met by Miss Kephart, daughter of Edward Kephart, son 
of "Cousin Dan," as we used to call him, and brother of 
George and Elias. She is a noble Christian girl, and keeps 
house for her two brothers. I took dinner with them. 
Then Hugh, the younger of the two, took me down to our 
old saw-mill, and to the old home where we were born and 
reared. On my way, I passed the old John Merryman 
home. I thought of the Sunday he died, and oh, the awful 
death! I shall never forget it; and had I a hundred tongues 
and a hundred mouths, and a voice of iron, as Virgil says, 
in his picture of Hades, I could not in any way describe 
that poor man's death. At the old saw-mill everything is 
changed; it is now a wilderness; mill, dam, and all are 
gone. I went to that marvelous spring, and lay down, as I 
used to do, and took one more drink of its pure water. 
You know it was a marvel ; in the blighting frosts of winter 
mornings its water was warm, and often the steam would 
rise from it in mid-winter, but in the hottest days its 
water was like ice. I gave it tears in return for its good 
water. I stopped on the old bridge that spans the Cold Run. 
I looked down into the bright stream, where many long 
years ago father baptized me. It was on this wise: On a 
cold winter day, when the snow was deep, father and I, 

284 



Sixth Quadrennium, 1901-1905 



alone, were returning from the saw-mill. When we came 
upon the bridge, I said: "Father, here is water, and I wish 
to be baptized." He replied: "All right." And we went 
down into the water and kneeled, and he baptized me. It 
was heaven on earth! In that same place my grandfather 
Goss was baptized by my father also. I was present on 
that occasion, although only a little boy. But the speckled 
trout are now, as formerly, in the beautiful, bright water, 
although not quite so numerous or so large. Do you re- 
member the "horny chub" Jack Carson caught there once 
when we were boys? But poor Jack and the Walker boys 
are all gone. Will we ever meet again? I went on slowly 
up the Cold Run hill, wrapped in thought over the past. I re- 
member one thing that I never told you; I will now relate 
it. You know Daniel Albert, our brother-in-law, was a very 
timid man, and could never say anything in religious meet- 
ings. One day I was coming home from New Castle, and 
Albert was alone, sawing, in the old mill. Just after I had 
crossed the bridge, and was making the turn in the road, I 
heard Albert shouting at the top of his voice. Supposing 
that he was caught in the gearing of the mill, I ran to give 
him relief, but when I got in sight of the mill, to my sur- 
prise he was jumping, and shouting "Glory to God!" I 
watched him for a time, then turned away with moistened 
eyes, and "left him alone in his glory." The old hill in 
many places seemed to me to be more steep than it used to 
be. You remember the time when you came so near step- 
ping on the big rattlesnake up the hill? I stopped to take 
a last look at the place. I could see you jump, and hear you 
say, "Lord!" But you soon dispatched the "big fellow." I 
recollect he had eleven rattles. As I looked over the hill, I 
thought of the June-berries we used to gather there; yes, 
of pretty girls and big boys who were our associates. But 
they were all gone, and I was a stranger to all I met. We 
did not dream then what was in life for us. God has been 
very good to us, and how often I have thought of the oft-re- 
peated prayer which, in silence, I used to offer up to God, 
namely, "Give me a wise and understanding heart." I went 
down to the stone-pile which marks the old chimney- 
site of the cabin in which we were born. I kneeled on the 
hearth-stone, as I used to when a child, and said my 



285 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

prayers. I walked over to the old spring and washed my 
hands, in which spring I came near drowning. I also 
strolled through the old orchard, and passed the place 
where the old barn once stood, in the yard of which the old 
gander gave you the flogging. The big "sour apple tree," 
the "red tree," the "early sour," the "early sweet," and the 
"sheep-nose," are all gone. The old "bitter sour tree," that 
Levi Seely grafted, yet lives, but not one graft remains. 
Like some Christians, it "ran well for a season," but now it 
is bearing the same worthless sour fruit, just as it used to 
do. I then went up to the place of the "new house." The 
apple trees of the new orchard are well laden with good 
fruit. I remember well the day when father brought home 
those trees, and he and dear mother planted them. I 
walked over to the old Baughman graveyard. Oh, how many 
there are whom we used to know! I put a bunch of flow- 
ers on poor Charlie Riddle's grave. I saw his young life 
go out; but he went up in a holy rapture of glory. I then 
returned to Bigler to preach, as father used to do. But I 
must stop. 

The third letter of reminiscence is dated September, 
1905. 

Bear Brother I. L.: — I have just returned from our old 
home in Clearfield, where I attended two very interesting 
and important meetings. The first was the Bigler camp- 
meeting; the second was the old settlers' picnic of Decatur 
Township. The Bigler camp-meeting, or Chautauqua, you 
know, is located near the spot where father and mother 
were baptized many long years ago. I went down to the 
sacred old spot, and looked into the bright waters hurrying 
on to the sea as in the days of yore. Oh, what strange 
thoughts run through the mind amid such hallowed associa- 
tions. You know, also, that these grounds are located on 
the Tyrone and Clearfield branch of the Pennsylvania Rail- 
road, and the Pennsylvania Division of the New York Cen- 
tral & Hudson River Railroad. The grounds are beautiful, 
and in most excellent condition. The congregation on the 
last Sunday of the meeting was said to be much the largest 
in the history of the camp. The order throughout the meet- 



286 



Sixth Quadrennium, 1901-1905 

ings was ideal. What a vast improvement in this respect over 
the camp-meetings held in this section when we were boys. 
You doubtless will remember Brit Runk, how Rev. Mr. 
Bonewell tore his coal-tail off at the old Josie Barger camp- 
meeting, held not more than a quarter of a mile from this 
place, and what poor Brit said as he looked at his torn coat. 
Surely the young people, as a rule, behave better now than 
did the young people of your generation and mine. 

As I sat and looked over the vast crowds I missed the 
Borgers, the Hoovers, the Crowells, the Gosses, the Peterses, 
and oh, so many more, and I thought of the words of Hor- 
ace in his address to Maecenas, "Non eadem est aetas, non 
mens." I spent two Sabbaths at this camp, and preached 
six sermons, and delivered other addresses. I met all the 
Chase boys except Asbury. They occupied a cottage on the 
grounds. One of them, Bert, goes to Sicily as United 
States consul. What a lesson on family government! John 
M. Chase and wife trained their children in the way they 
should go. What a noble family of sons and daughters! 
Revs. J. I. L. Ressler, P. E.; R. Jamison, and W. R. 
Dillon, had charge of the camp, and Brother Lownsbury 
was the superintendent and business manager. Many other 
ministers were present, among them Rev. J. R. King and 
wife, from West Africa. The meetings were excellent. I 
visited the old Bradford Church, in which "I learned the 
way of God more perfectly" when young. I took flowers 
and placed them on the grave in which Brother Abraham 
has lain forty-six years. Mrs. Wilson (Maggie Hoover), 
who was a bosom friend of his, told me his last words were, 
"Victory over death! Glory!" 

The old settlers' picnic met in Center Grove, just up the 
hill, where the new schoolhouse and church stand on the 
opposite side of the road. You know it is not far from the 
old schoolhouse, the logs of which father hewed. It was a 
great gathering, for the people came from far and near. 
Edmund Shaw and I were the appointed speakers, but many 
others talked. The oldest people of the section were there. 
The two oldest were Aunt Katy Goss, who is up in the 
nineties, and Henry Baughman, who is almost ninety. He 
used to carry me on his back to the old schoolhouse when 
the snow-drifts were too deep for me, then a little "tad," 



287 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 



to wade through. We talked it all over, and he took a good 
laugh. He is now old and feeble. Many who were boys 
when we were, were present, the Reamses, the Gosses, the 
Kepharts, the Reases, the Matterns, the Hancocks, the Gal- 
achers, the Hugheses, and oh, so many I cannot name them. 
But the change that has come over them all! I went up to 
Newcastle, and I got a piece of one of the old logs of the 
old Newcastle schoolhouse, out of which I got a Mr. Say- 
lor, of Annville, to make me a cane. It is a beauty. The 
stick is oak. One of the most impressive sermons I ever 
listened to, father preached in that old schoolhouse. The 
words of the text were these: "I have acknowledged my 
sins unto thee, and my iniquity have I not hid." (Ps. 32: 4.) 
I shall never forget it. Washington and Isaiah Kephart 
live on the old farm home, I visited them both. But you 
will be tired by the time you read this, and I will stop. 



288 



"As a guest, who may not stay 
Long and sad farewells to say, 
Glides with smiling face away, 

"Of the sweetness and the zest 
Of thy happy life possessed, 
Thou hast left us at thy best. 

"Now that thou hast gone away 
What is left for one to say 
Who was open as the day? 

"Safe thou art on every side, 
Friendship nothing finds to hide, 
Love's demands are satisfied. 

"Keep for us, O friend, where'er 
Thou art waiting, all that here 
Made thy earthly presence dear." 

— Whittier. 

"Sleep sweetly, tender heart, in peace ! 
Sleep, holy spirit, blessed soul ! 
While the stars burn, the moons increase, 
And the great ages onward roll." 

"The days of our years are three score and ten." 

"A few who have watched me sail away 
Will miss my craft from the busy bay ; 
Some friendly banks I anchored near, 
Some loving souls my heart held dear, 
In silent sorrow will drop a tear. 
But I shall have peacefully furled my sail, 
In moorings sheltered from storm and gale, 
And greeted the friends who have sailed before 
O'er the Unknown Sea to the Unknown Shore." 



289 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



EMERITUS AND PROMOTED, 1905-1906. 

Few men do much of their best life work after pass- 
ing this limit, but the world is nevertheless greatly en- 
riched by the exceptions. Bishop Kephart had a vigor- 
ous constitution, and notwithstanding his excessive 
labor and exposure in travel, change of water, climate, 
etc., he came to the psalmist's limit of three score and 
ten with very much of the physical and mental fresh- 
ness of his prime. 

On his first visit to Africa, however, the poison of her 
malarial rivers and swamps found a seat in his strong 
frame, and he was never able wholly to eradicate it. His 
second visit seemed to fix the hold it had already se- 
cured in his system. He was ever afterward subject to 
a pain in his right side, which physicians attributed to 
the dregs of African malaria. Sometimes the attack 
would come upon him suddenly, and for an hour or two 
would cause intense suffering, partaking of the nature 
of neuralgia. His journal on his second missionary 
journey speaks occasionally of this ailment. Under en- 
try of December 30, 1892: "After a long and tedious 
day and night at sea, landed at Freetown at 4 a. m. Was 
rather sick with pain in my side all the day." January 
14, 1893, at Avery, he said : "Was sick all night. Had 
a severe pain in my hip and side." Feb. 2. : "I have 

290 



Emeritus and Promoted, 1905-1906 

been quite severely afflicted by neuralgia in my side." 
His journal for his third journey contains a number of 
similar entries. Occasionally, when engaged in his 
duties in the home land, he was similarly troubled with 
these attacks. Sometimes, after a day or night of suf- 
fering, he would hasten to meet an engagement to 
preach or lecture, and would manifest such vigor that 
his audience would scarce suspect he had ever experi- 
enced a pain. He so much loved the service of his Mas- 
ter that he preferred to have nothing said about his own 
ailment. 

Several years before his death, he ran to make a train, 
and so produced a palpitation. Physicians said the 
arteries were injured, and he ever afterward was affected 
with shortness of breath after physical exertion, and 
had been repeatedly warned against overtaxing himself. 
However, he said he had never experienced pain in the 
cardiacal region when preaching or lecturing. Indeed, 
he always seemed in best health when traveling, preach- 
ing, and lecturing, as this necessitated continuous ex- 
ercise, and so stimulated digestion and circulation. A 
few days of physical inactivity and mental work at his 
desk was wont to bring an attack. 

The last quadrennium of his service on a district, he 
was the only member of the Board of Bishops who was 
not compelled to miss an engagement because of sick- 
ness, but he felt that the twofold disease was preying 
upon his system with the increase of age. All through 
his life his devotion to duty had been unswerving, for 
to him duty was his own understanding of God's will. 
He sought to live the sentiment of the hymn : 



291 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

"I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord, 

Over mountain, or plain, or sea; 
I'll say what you want me to say, dear Lord, 
I'll be what you want me to be." 

His journal on each of his missionary journeys con- 
tains entries like the following: "I think this will be 
my last trip to Africa, unless the Lord should make 
clear that it is his will that I shall come again."'" As he 
at one time expressed in a General Conference, to him 
the command of his Church was the command of God, 
and he obeyed her behests implicitly. His own family 
was solicitous for his welfare, as they best knew of his 
ailments, and were anxious that he should lay aside 
some of the burdens of office. His wife and daughters 
often sought to persuade him not to make extra engage- 
ments, that he might remain at home to recuperate, but 
he would say: "This is an opportunity to advance the 
Lord's cause, and I must go/" His health was certainly 
unusual. During his married life of forty-six years, his 
wife cannot recall any time when he was confined to his 
bed long enough to have a meal carried to his bedside. 
Dr. H. Garst tells a storv of some one who. when look- 
ing at the Bishop, said of him, "He has a constitution 
like a horse." 

In the light of the foregoing facts, we cannot wonder 
that four years should be spent in the study of himself, 
and in meditation upon God's will, and in prayer that 
the way might be made plain, and that he should come 
to the General Conference of 1905 with his decision 
ready — not because he had taken the advice of men, for 
he had not spoken to any one outside of his own family, 

292 



Emeritus and Promoted, 1905-1906 

until just the day before presenting his request to the 
Conference. Then, in conversation with his brother, Dr. 
I. L., who questioned the wisdom of his retirement, he 
said : "I would not do so, but this pain in my heart is 
growing worse, and I am fully convinced that I should." 
Many sought to dissuade him, but his mind was made 
up to act in accordance with what he believed to be 
God's will. 

Monday, May 15, 1905, was made memorable. On 
Saturday previous Bishop Castle, in the expression and 
joy of the Christ life, had voluntarily retired, and many 
in the Conference were moved to tears. But he said: 
"Let your tears be dried. Spend your time in doing 
your work, not upon me. I feel that I am in a sense far 
below that, in a sense like Paul, when he said, 'What 
mean ye to weep and break my heart ? 7 Let us be cheer- 
ful." On Monday, Bishop Kephart was presiding in his 
turn. At the conclusion of miscellaneous business, he 
invited Bishop Castle to occupy the chair a few mo- 
ments, while he himself presented a matter of a miscel- 
laneous nature. He then informally made the following 
address : 

Mr. Chairman, and members of the Conference: — I have 
never at any time made a single request of my Church, or 
asked a favor. Even when I was sent out to preach, I never 
asked for credentials. I was a student in college, and there 
were credentials sent to me through the mails. But this 
morning I have a request that I am going to make to this 
body, and that request is that in so far as my relation to 
the Church as an active bishop, having charge of a district, 
is concerned, I kindly ask of this General Conference 
not to consider my name in that relation. I have 
but one rule in my life that has governed me, 



293 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

and that rule governs me this morning. It is 
simply this: When any matters of gravity arising in 
matters relative to the state, or in matters relative to the 
Church, or to make any ruling, or to make any decision 
whatever arises, I have always put myself in this relation — 
I have asked myself the question, "What would Jesus do if 
he were in my place now?" And this is the relation that I 
have put myself in this morning, after four years of care- 
ful, earnest thought and prayer, which I have never 
breathed to anybody, I believe, until yesterday I mentioned 
it to one or two friends, and that is the conclusion I have 
reached. 

My life in the service of the Church is known, and I have 
nothing to say respecting it. I feel this morning, brethren, 
like the old pagan Roman did. He was the greatest Roman 
of them all. He said, when he was in years, about where I 
am in life, "If the gods were to give me the privilege to be- 
come a baby again, and be rocked in the cradle, I would 
not accept it, in that I think I have lived my life well." 
And I say that I think I have served my Church well, and 
the cause of God well. I have never had a single reflection 
to cast upon my Church for its treatment of me. Those 
who are here, with whom I have associated in the relation 
that I sustain to-day, and every relation that I have sus- 
tained to the Church, know me, that my life has been open 
and frank, and what I had to say, and what I had to do, I 
always did it, not coveting the smiles on the one hand, nor 
regarding the frowns on the other, when it came to a sense 
of duty. God bless you. 

Bishop Castle then made the following appropriate 
response : 

There comes to every life that has lived the usual length 
of time, that which may be regarded a sort of crisis, and I 
think of this scene before us now as a sort of crisis. 

The first time that I met this brother was away back at 
a General Conference about forty years ago, as I remember, 
held in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. He was then a young man, 
his hair was raven, he was ruddy and flush with the glow 
of youthful manhood. He represented then, in that early 
life, the educational work of our Church in the West. I 



294 



Emeritus and Promoted, 1905-1906 

remember him quite well; and so our acquaintance from 
that time on has grown and ripened through the years until 
the present hour. I have had great admiration for his 
executive ability, for he has been the strong man of our 
Board of Bishops, as you know. When it came to matters 
of close decision, matters where the laws of the Church 
were involved, we have rested heavily upon him. I think 
I can say this in behalf of the members of the Board as- 
sociated with him and me; and now we come to this place 
where he, in a measure, wishes to step aside, and at a mo- 
ment like this — there is a record made in the New Testa- 
ment that I think of very much of late, and that is where 
there is a disciple named that was the host of Paul, who 
was called an old disciple. Brethren, what a record, what 
an epitaph to put on a tomb-stone — an old disciple! Youth 
has drifted away, the summer-time of life has gone, and 
the autumn-time is here. The woodlands are adrip with 
water, the winds are cold and biting, the frost has put his 
teeth into the leaf of plant and flower, and winter will 
soon hang on fields and woodlands and mountains and 
valleys. The icy chains will wrap and bind up all the 
waters in their fetters. What a time, and what a statement 
to make concerning life — an old disciple! I will tell you, 
brethren, while we would admit and welcome the new 
most joyfully, we must not let all the old things go. We 
must stick by the old faith, the old gospel, the old doc- 
trines; sometimes we say the old-time religion. Stick to 
these, and I am sure as one steps aside from the active 
work he will be shown the highest esteem; and there will 
come a day when forms that walk the streets, and walk in 
the yards, and walk down along the paths of life, will walk 
no more. . . . And now Brother Kephart does not wish 
much said, and so I must not trespass on his feelings; but 
I will say, let us turn aside for a few brief prayers. 

After a season of prayer the Arion Quartet sang, "My 
Faith Clings to Jesus." Dr. Funk then offered the fol- 
lowing resolution: 

Resolved, That in view of the sacrifices made, and splen- 
did service rendered the Church, to which they have given 



295 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

their lives, I move that Bishop N. Castle, D.D., and Bishop 
E. B. Kephart, D.D., be made bishops emeritus, and their 
compensation be one-half the amount given an active 
bishop. 

This resolution was unanimously adopted by a rising 
vote. This affecting service ended, Bishop Kephart re- 
sumed the chair and continued the business of the 
day. He took an active interest in all the proceedings 
of the Conference. Since the preceding General Con- 
ference, a number of members of that body had died. 
Among these was the lamented Bishop Hott, who re- 
turned from the Frederick Conference only to prepare 
for his decease. In the memorial service, Bishop Kep- 
hart offered the following prayer: "Thou Infinite 
Spirit, which we recognize as God our Father, we are in 
this presence, as it were in the face of our dead, to re- 
member those who once sat in our councils, and are now 
numbered among the dead. We bless thee, our Father, 
that thou hast permitted us to come together. We 
thank thee, also, we are not only possessed of the spirit 
to recognize thee as our Father and God, and remember 
thy mercies, but also to remember before thee in hu- 
miliation those whom we have laid away, and whom 
thou hast called from labor to reward. May the solem- 
nity of the occasion awe us into reverence, and while we 
are together, and while we are thus paying the last 
tribute of respect to those whose memory we cherish, 
may we also remember that the lot that has fallen to 
them will, in the near future, fall to each one of us, and 
while I am sure that what will be said will be commend- 
able and complimentary of the lives they have lived 
and the work they have done, God grant that we may be 

296 



Emeritus and Promoted, 1905-1906 

possessed of the spirit to be disposed to speak of the liv- 
ing as we are sure to speak of them when they are dead. 
We ask thy blessings, our Father, upon this waiting as- 
sembly; we ask thy blessings upon the Church that has 
sustained this loss, and we rejoice with heaven for what 
heaven has gained by what we have lost. Bemember, 
we pray thee, our Father, the families that have been 
bereft. Bind up, we ask thee, the sore, and dry the 
tears, and bring in that holy, peaceful joy that comes 
only from the communion with God in these aching 
hearts. These blessings we ask in Jesus' name. Amen." 

He made a speech upon the improvement of the Bible 
Teacher, and the suggestions he made then have been 
incorporated in this periodical. He advocated the elec- 
tion of a general Church treasurer, who should be an 
expert, and have charge of all the Church funds. He re- 
iterated the opinion that he had so frequently advo- 
cated: "General Conference is not only a legis- 
lative body, but it is the master judiciary of the 
Church. I suggest that you interpret your own Con- 
stitution, because you are the highest court, the highest 
judiciary of this denomination." Questions of inter- 
pretation of law, and of parliamentary usage, were re- 
ferred to him for his opinion. Many members of that 
Conference have said: "We all waited for his decision 
on such questions." This deference was due to the 
knowledge that he had had six years' experience and 
training in the Iowa Senate, and that he had prepared a 
manual of Church Discipline, and had also revised the 
same, and thereby had become a specialist on Church 
law. 



297 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

When the Conference adjourned, he returned to his 
home in Annville, Pa., with a light heart. He said it 
was the first time in forty years that he could feel that 
his time was his own. His immediate family felt that 
at his age he could serve the Church more effectually 
by the use of his pen, than in charge of a district. Calls, 
however, came to him, and he had not learned to say 
"no" if he could possibly comply. Hence he responded 
to calls for lectures, camp-meetings, dedications, special 
addresses, etc. Finally there came an urgent call 
from those in charge of Indiana Central University, to 
come and help them in their work preparatory to open- 
ing the college. His family tried to dissuade him, but 
he regarded the call from above, and in January, 1906, 
he went to Indianapolis to engage in that work. He 
had spent a month in the same work the year previous, 
and returned to his home in excellent health; but this 
time it was not to be so. To his own home, and to the 
Church at large there came a shock of pain as the wires 
bore the sad intelligence of his sudden death. 

On Saturday, January 15, he left his home in Ann- 
ville in his usual health, intending to devote at least 
one month to the interests of the university. He had 
already filled a number of engagements lecturing and 
preaching, and had rendered aid to the financial repre- 
sentative. Frequent letters home told of his itinerary and 
the progress of his work, and that he was in his usual 
health. The surprise and shock was, therefore, all the 
more severe, when the message arrived on January 24, 
about 9 p. m., that Bishop Kephart had died in Indian- 
apolis about 5 :30 p.m., and asking instructions. 



298 



Emeritus and Promoted, 1905-1906 

A message was sent to Dayton, Ohio, also, and Dr. I. 
L. Kephart, in response to a message, took the first train 
for Annville, to render sympathy and advice. Dr. H. U. 
Eoop, son-in-law of the Bishop, went direct to Indian- 
apolis, to take charge of the remains. 

The following account of the death is taken from the 
Indianapolis Journal of January 25 : 

Bishop E. B. Kephart, of Annville, Pa., one of the best- 
known men in the United Brethren Church, died suddenly, 
of neuralgia of the heart, in the office of W. L. Elder, in 
the Ingalls Building, at 5:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon. 

After traveling through Indiana for several days, in the 
interest of Indiana Central University, of this city, in com- 
pany with the Rev. A. W. Arford, of Odon, Bishop Kephart 
and the Rev. Mr. Arford went to Mr. Elder's office about five 
o'clock yesterday afternoon, expecting to meet the Rev. 
J. T. Roberts, president of the university. Immediately 
upon entering the office, Bishop Kephart complained of 
feeling ill. Dr. Geo. D. Kahlo and Dr. Louis Burckhardt 
were called. Bishop Kephart complained of great pain in 
the region of his heart. "Have you ever had such an at- 
tack before?" asked one of the physicians. "Yes," replied 
the Bishop, "but never one so severe as this." Without 
uttering another word he died. 

Mr. W. L. Elder writes: "The above article is cor- 
rect, except in this particular, that he did not suffer 
much pain, and his death was most quiet and peaceful. 
He was down at the college-buildings, and walked from 
the buildings to the car, and had to stop and sit down 
to rest, which I have seen him do frequently. When he 
came to my office he sat down on the steps on the ground 
floor, in the vestibule, to rest. After he had rested 
awhile, we assisted him in the elevator, and took him to 
a couch in my office. We gave him stimulants, and sent 



299 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

for a physician. When he arrived, he asked him how he 
felt, and he answered that he had some pain in his 
heart. In a very few minutes the doctor said he was 
sinking, and his heart stopped beating with no suffer- 
ing or apparent distress on his part." The Eev. A. W. 
Arford, Eev. J. T. Roberts, myself, the two physicians, 
and my lady stenographer, were all with him at the time 
of his death. We did everything possible for his com- 
fort." 

The remains were conveyed to Annville, Pa., for in- 
terment. Circumstances rendered it necessary that the 
funeral services occur on Sunday afternoon, January 28. 
Bishop Mathews was expected to be present and con- 
duct the services, but being suddenly taken sick in Day- 
ton, Ohio, he could not make the journey. The other 
bishops were too far distant, and could not reach Ann- 
ville in time. 

At 12 m., January 28, the body was taken to the audi- 
torium of the Engle Music Hall, of Lebanon Valley 
College (the casket being covered with a great profusion 
of floral tributes), where it lay in state for two hours, 
and was viewed by more than a thousand sympathizing 
friends. At 2 : 00 p. m. the auditorium was packed with 
an immense audience, gathered from far and near, there 
being present some forty ministers of the Pennsylvania, 
East Pennsylvania, and Allegheny conferences, and 
preachers of other denominations. Dr. W. J. Zuck, pas- 
tor of our Church at Annville, had charge of the ser- 
vices, and the program was as follows : Organ prelude ; 
anthem by the choir, "The Souls of the Righteous"; 
biographical sketch, read by Rev. H. S. Gabel, secretary 

300 



Emeritus and Promoted, 1905-1906 

of the Church Erection Society; scripture lesson (John 
14: 1-10; II. Cor. 5 : 1-9), read by Rev. A. K. Ayres, of 
York, Pa. ; prayer by Dr. C. I. B. Brane, pastor of our 
Trinity Church, Lebanon, Pa.; sermon by Dr. G. A. 
Funkhouser, of Union Biblical Seminary, text, John 
11:40; Kev. 22:3, 4; addresses by Dr. D. Eberly, of 
Abbottstown, Pa., Dr. L. Bookwalter, president of Ot- 
terbein University, and Dr. W. E. Funk, agent of our 
Publishing House. His favorite hymn, "There's a 
Wideness in God's Mercy," was sung, and the body was 
then taken to the Mount Annville Cemetery, on the hill 
north of the town, where it was interred. There Eev. D. 
D. Lowery, presiding elder of Pennsylvania Conference, 
read the burial service, and Dr. G. A. Funkhouser pro- 
nounced the benediction. 

The oldest minister of our Church present was the 
Kev. Z. A. Colestock, of Pennsylvania Conference, whose 
home is at Mechanicsburg, Pa. Bishop Dickson, of 
Chambersburg, Pa., sent special expressions of sym- 
pathy and condolence to Mrs. Bishop Kephart, and ex- 
pressed regret that his own health was such as to pre- 
vent his being present at the funeral. 

Many memorial services were held in different parts 
of our Church in his honor, Toledo, Iowa, his former 
home, Union Biblical Seminary, and many churches 
paying their tributes. 

Very many of the churches in far-away Africa as- 
sembled to mingle their tears and express their love for 
their beloved bishop, who had visited them three times in 
episcopal relation. 

Dr. J. K. King writes : "We did appreciate his visits 
to Africa, and I do not know of another man in the 

301 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

Church that made such a favorable impression on the 
natives as did Bishop Kephart. Everywhere the word 
has gone concerning his death, there has been an ex- 
pression of grief as to the loss of a personal friend. I 
have only heard from a few of our stations, but they 
have held memorial services for him. This is on sta- 
tions where native workers are in charge, and they have 
done this of their own accord." 

His death was so sudden. It came as an electric shock 
to his family and to the entire Church. He seemed 
capable of doing much more for the Church and the 
world; but doubtless he himself would have had it so. 
Truly it may be said of him, "He died with the 
harness on." He "walked with God and was not, for 
G-od took him." 

"Life! we've been long together, 
Through pleasant and through cloudy weather. 
' T is hard to part when friends are dear; 
Perhaps 't will cause a sigh, a tear; 
Then steal away; give little warning, 
Choose thine own time; 

Say not 'Good-night,' but in some brighter clime 
Bid me 'Good-morning.' " 



302 



"Yet ye weep, my erring friends, 
While the man whom ye call dead, 
In unspoken bliss, instead, 
Lives and loves you ; lost, 't is true 
By such light as shines for you ; 
But, in the light ye cannot see, 
Of undisturbed felicity — 
In a perfect paradise, 
Lives a life that never dies." 

"Farewell, friends ! yet not farewell ; 
Where I am ye too shall dwell. 
I am gone before your face 
A moment's time, a little space ; 
When ye come where I have slept 
Ye will wonder why ye wept ; 
Ye will know, by wise love taught, 
That here is all, and there is naught. 
Weep awhile, if ye are fain — 
Sunshine still must follow rain — 
Only not at death ; for death, 
Now I know, is that first breath 
Which our souls draw when we enter 
Life which is of all life centre." 

— From the Arabic, by Edwin Arnold. 



303 



CHAPTER XIX. 



AS OTHERS ESTEEM HIM. 

Many kind words were spoken and written regard- 
ing him. Surely the poet's sentiment, 

"The evil that men do lives after them; 
The good is oft interred with their bones," 

did not apply to him. 

He had often been impressed in annual conference 
and General Conference memorial services, with the fact 
that only the good things were said, all else forgotten. 
In harmony with the thought of years, to which he had 
frequently given expression, at the last General Con- 
ference he attended, when leading in prayer in the me- 
morial service, he presented this entreaty: "God grant 
that we may be possessed of the spirit to be disposed to 
speak of the living as well as we are sure to speak of 
them when they are dead.' 5 

Many letters of condolence came, each one emphasiz- 
ing some helpful trait of the character of the lamented 
one. Many letters were sent to the Bishop's brother, 
editor of the Telescope, unsolicited, of the same import, 
while others, in response to requests of certain papers, 
wrote on various phases of his life, and a few intimately 
associated with him in some period of his career, have 
kindly given expression at the request of his biographer. 
Space will not permit the incorporating of all these as 



304 



As Others Esteem Him 



written, or the names of all the writers. Many speak of 
the same impression of his life and work. Dr. G. A. 
Funkhouser, in his funeral sermon, gave such a con- 
densed summary of the man, as he had learned to es- 
teem him, and expressed the feeling of so many thou- 
sands of the membership of the Church, that this part 
of his discourse must be incorporated here: 

I have known Bishop Kephart for thirty-five years. He 
has been a member of the Board of Directors of Union 
Biblical Seminary since its founding in 1871, and President 
of the Board of Education since its organization. 

I have found him to be a manly man; physically so, as 
well as mentally and spiritually. There was nothing creepy 
or concealed. You could find him, and one felt like getting 
nearer to him. It can be said of him, as of President Har- 
rison: "He never trimmed the white sail of his career to 
catch a vulgar breeze." 

He was a true friend. He made friends, and held them. 
His genial, open nature helped bind friends to him. 

He had faith in the possibilities of young men. Young 
men at the Seminary said, on hearing of his death, "I 
would never have been in school but for Bishop Kephart." 
Young men all over the Church say, "He helped me." He 
never put a straw in the way of their making the most of 
themselves. On the contrary, he did everything to encour- 
age them. I'd rather have that record of helping young 
men to victory over self, sin, and Satan, than to have mil- 
lions instead. 

He was a great friend of education. His own struggle 
for an education was an incentive to all who knew of it. 
Being the first bishop who was a college graduate, he was 
looked to by educators. There is not a school in the Church 
which has not felt inspiration from Bishop Kephart's life 
and words. There is not a young man who knew or knows 
his history but feels a strong pull upwards. The Church is 
greatly indebted to him for his service to education. 

He was a builder of men, not a destroyer. He was a 
helper upward in every way, in thought, ambition, purpose, 



20 



305 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

effort, as student, pastor, as college president, as legislator, 
as bishop. He had vast opportunities, and used them with 
effect. As a wise master-builder, he let no matter go to 
waste. The school laws of Iowa to-day are much as they 
came from his brain and hands. 

He cannot be compared to a caller of trains in our great 
depots, who call others out, but does not go himself. He 
paid the fare and boarded the train to make the long jour- 
ney. He showed others the way, and walked therein him- 
self. 

He was constructive in methods and measures, and was 
not a destructionist. Some men in some way make them- 
selves, or their views of things, the storm-center in a con- 
troversy or difference of opinion; but it was not thus with 
Bishop Kephart. When he was shown a better way, he was 
as anxious for its adoption as for his own measure. He 
would not get in the way because a thing was not of his 
own proposing. Therefore he could meet opponents on a 
common ground afterward. As a consequence of such an 
attitude, he had few personal enemies. In other words, he 
was larger than his office. His constructive ability was il- 
lustrated in tiding the Church through the controversy of 
secrecy. 

His last work was for a new school. He seemed to see a 
great future, and labored for that. Like the patriarchs, he 
saw things promised from afar, and greeted them as real, 
and as almost in hand. 

His reserve power was abundant. When he spoke, you 
felt there was much back of what he said. Only now and 
then you felt that he expended all his force, and then it 
was tremendous, overwhelming. 

Bishop Kephart also had great administrative abilities. 
He could well have graced a seat in the United States Sen- 
ate. He was the acknowledged parliamentarian of the 
Church. At the last General Conference there were times 
when all waited on his words and rulings as presiding 
officer. 

He possessed social qualities of the highest order. He 
was the idol of his home. The picture of his domestic re- 
lations has been framed and hung up in many a heart, 
and hence throughout the Church. His devotion to life- 



306 



As Others Esteem Him 



long companion, daughters, grandchildren, is beautiful. 
Like Roosevelt and others, he glorified the home life. Often 
he took trains and traveled all night to reach the best rest- 
ing-place on earth, that refuge from care — his home. There 
everything was done to lighten the heavy burdens he bore, 
to rest his weary body, and to cheer his mind and heart. 

He was a man of one work, and that the highest given by 
God to man. Angels desire to look into it. He could have 
gone into politics and succeeded, or into State institutions 
and done well. Offers came to him unsought; but he held 
on to the greatest; and who dare say now that it didn't 
make him greater? that the sum total of his life is not larg- 
er in the estimation of men? What is it in the estimation 
of God? what in rewards? what as an example to young 
men? Is there anything more beautiful than one holding 
on to the God-given work of life, through many depriva- 
tions and discouragements? Such a one becomes, like Jere- 
miah, "a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls 
against the whole land." Young man, make apology to no 
mortal man for going into the ministry of the United 
Brethren Church, if God has laid his hand upon you. There 
is nothing greater for you. There cannot be. Consider the 
end of this man's conversation, or manner of life, whose 
faith follow, and share the great rewards. 

His Christianity was of a high type. He was broad, in- 
telligent, catholic, steady, attractive, and pure. I was told 
yesterday of some judge of the supreme court who was won 
to Christ by the Bishop. While social, and often jovial in 
company, no one ever heard a low insinuation escape his 
lips, much less a vulgar story. A young man, thirty-five 
years ago, was nearly turned from the ministry by the low 
conversation of preachers gathered for their usual minis- 
terial meeting on a Monday morning in a city in this State. 
There was dignity, and charm, and grace, in his bearing 
as a Christian — an uplift and inspiration. He knew the in- 
junction of the apostle, "Let no corrupt speech proceed out 
of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need 
may be, that it may give grace to them that hear." 

But we came to bury Bishop Kephart, not to praise 
him. Bury Bishop Kephart? We cannot bury him! You 
cannot gather up and bury the sweet odors of the flower! 



307 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

To bury him, you must go over this Church, in the length 
and breadth thereof, aye, and beyond the seas, and gather 
out the lives he has made better. In colleges and Sem- 
inary, and in all the conferences, you must gather up the 
larger vision put before the minds of young ministers. The 
sorrows he has lifted from burdened hearts, the hopes 
awakened, the growth in divine things of the saints, in a 
word, the characters formed under his master workman- 
ship as a man, minister, college president, wise counselor in 
Church affairs, — can you bury them? 

You can bury this poor tenement which the great soul 
inhabited for seventy-two years; but you cannot bury 
Bishop Kephart. He will live on here in the lives of oth- 
ers, and live on yonder personally in the presence of his 
Savior and King from whom he has already heard the 
words, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Thou hast 
been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over 
many things. Enter, enter, come along with me into the 
joys of thy Lord." 

"And his servants shall serve him; and they shall see his 
face; and his name shall be on their foreheads." The bet- 
ter life on which our brother has now entered is one of 
ceaseless, yet not tiresome activity. "His servants shall do 
him service." 

President L. Bookwalter's address at the funeral of 
Bishop Kephart, Annville, Pa., Sunday afternoon, Jan- 
uary 28, 1906 : 

It is allowed us, at a time like this, when our hearts are 
full, to give them utterance. And yet, who, over the body 
of one he loved, is able to express either his sorrow or his 
love? So long and so close has been the friendship of some 
of us and our families with him who has left us and his 
smitten family and kindred, that we feel that our place is 
rather with them — in silent sorrow. And yet as for me, if 
others have tribute of appreciative and loving words to 
bring to the funeral of this good, dear man, so have I, for 
it was so ordered in the providence of God that, during the 
years when my whole tone of thinking and of life was be- 
ing molded, no man, after my father, so deeply and whole- 



308 



As Others Esteem Him 



somely influenced me as did E. B. Kephart. My revered 
teacher and president during my course at college; he who 
presented my name for first license to preach; my president 
and leader as I was under him as a fellow teacher for six 
years; the classmate and friend of her who stood at my 
side while he united us in holy wedlock, and sent us out 
together into life with his blessing — we can never cease to 
love him, and we shall hand down his cherished memory to 
our children. 

It is truly said, We know a man only as we know some- 
thing of his personal heart struggles, his life's leading aims, 
his home life. To have known something of these more 
hidden phases of Bishop Kephart's life is to have enjoyed 
a valuable privilege — a great blessing. What a husband 
and father he was! faithful, tender, strong, sharing with 
his life's companion the crushing sorrows of death's en- 
trance in the home, and all the sweet joys of the birth of 
the product of their pure love. No children ever had a 
better father, no friend ever knew a truer friend; and for 
the young man who looked for a man of high, unselfish 
devotion to the kingdom of God, this man stood forth an in- 
spiring example. 

When I first met Mr. Kephart, he was a young man of 
thirty-four, entering upon his work as president of Western 
College, now Leander Clark College, Iowa. Those who 
knew him in these years of his developing young manhood 
remember what a striking figure he was — erect, muscular, 
steady and strong of step, his black eyes speaking both 
tenderness and determination of character and keen intelli- 
gence, his hair black as the raven's wing; a perfect speci- 
men of young manhood. And all these gifts of nature he 
had yielded to be sanctified by grace, and he sought, as best 
he was able, to present them, "a living sacrifice," to the 
cause of righteousness in the earth. He entered upon 
the great and difficult task then before him with his well- 
known earnestness. He at once commanded the love and 
confidence of all. Students soon were the admiring follow- 
ers of a man whose heart was so evidently set upon their 
good, who could, with apparent ease, shoulder and carry to 
his home a barrel of apples, teach with ability in the class- 
room, and successfully administer the affairs of a college 



309 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

struggling under embarrassments. Everywhere among the 
patrons of the college, at its seat and over its cooperative 
territory, this vigorous, positive, hopeful young man's very 
presence inspired new life and effort, while his untiring 
work gave promise of sure success. Those thirteen years of 
Bishop (then President) Kephart's life were, as I conceive, 
the years of all his life. The conditions were such as to 
demand the very best there was in him, and he responded 
in the fullest measure. The varied duties involved— as a 
student, scholar, and instructor, an administrator, an or- 
ganizer, a leader— brought to him a development, a practi- 
cal strength which was the capital with which he did bus- 
iness for God and the Church through the years of later, 
more important service. 

If the recital were made of the hardships he underwent, 
as, for instance, the riding all night, leaving the train at a 
morning hour to make a walk of three miles, perhaps 
through mud or against a northwestern blizzard, in time 
to enter his classroom, without breakfast, to fill up the fore- 
noon in teaching; if the unceasing, heroic toil performed 
without murmer or disheartenment were chronicled, it 
would tell its own story of a life devoted without stint. 

Bishop Kephart, during his long and prominent career 
in the Church, touched its growing life at quite every point. 
His effort was bestowed, and his strong influence was felt, 
along every line of Church activity; but in an especial 
way, and to a greater degree than in any other direction, 
did he promote our educational work. Indeed, here he be- 
came, and was recognized, as the leader. He had, by the 
very circumstances of the Church and his time, a field, and 
he entered and filled it. He was one of the earliest strong 
young men to graduate from our mother college, Otterbein 
University, in 1865. So he naturally stood forth as a leader 
— indeed, the first of our men of the schools to be placed in 
foremost leadership. During these over forty years, 
whether as a pastor, a college president, or bishop and 
president of the Board of Education, both in public and in 
private, he held before the entire Church, both its ministry 
and its laity, the vital place of the higher Christian educa- 
tion in the work of our own Church and of the kingdom of 
God in the earth. Valuable as were his services elsewhere 



310 



As Others Esteem Him 

and everywhere, here has his work been of inestimable im- 
portance; here has he reared his last monument, and each 
generation will appreciate his great work the more. 

Indeed, as we know, it was in the interest of our youngest 
college, in a field far away from home, that he bestowed his 
last labors. How in keeping this with his chief life con- 
cern for his Church, how befitting this closing of life's 
work in his chosen field. 

Last Wednesday afternoon, after a day full of toil, he 
laid himself down to rest — aye, to die, die like Chatham and 
John Quincy Adams, like his Master, in the midst of his 
labors. 

He quietly and sweetly went to sleep at the evening time, 
to awake upon an eternal morning. 

The following words were spoken by Dr. W. E. Funk 
at the funeral of Bishop Kephart : 

Coming as the representative of the general interests of 
the Church, I am impressed with the great loss which the 
United Brethren Church has sustained in the death of 
Bishop Kephart. The value of a life is measured by its re- 
lation to the times in which it was lived. He is the truly 
great man who can touch the central thought of his age, 
and fashion his life in keeping with it. To deal with the 
principles underlying our Christian civilization was the 
special delight of our departed brother and father in the 
Church. Like Joseph in Egypt, and Ezra and Nehemiah 
at Jerusalem, he was a statesman as well as a prince and 
teacher of the truth. The value of his life is seen in the 
doing of things. His service in the Church was not only 
beautiful, but full of rich fruitage. He had a plan in his 
life as it related to the affairs of the kingdom. His energy 
was not wasted on negative propositions, but he dealt with 
the verities of service. He thought much and well, and 
hence his action was well balanced and safe. At no time on 
the road had he a question as to the way he should take. 
He felt the inspiration of oncoming events, and stood ready 
to act when his part was to be performed. 

All this made him a strong leader in the general work 
of the Church. Missions, — foreign and home, — church 



311 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

erection, Sunday-school cause, with publishing interests, 
each in turn had his careful thought, and support, and ef- 
fort in the years of his life. 

While his life was of rare value to the Church, it was 
also a beautiful life, and, as such, becomes an inspiration to 
the entire denomination. Beauty must be inherent if it be 
radiant. It must have an internal source of supply. There 
came to me an illustration of this truth in the life of 
Bishop Kephart. The springs in the mountain where he 
was reared were fed by subterranean fountains. Have you 
ever looked into one of these clear springs thus fed? How 
pure and sparkling is the water, as it bursts forth and 
takes its way down the valley to bless and refresh the 
earth. So the sparkling beauty of the flow of this noble 
life fed by the heart-fountain of gracious love as it took its 
way down through the Church he loved so much. 

But a noble life like Bishop Kephart's does not hold all 
its beauty within itself. The outward radiance illumines and 
brightens all the world. How very true this was of him. 
Wherever he went in our Church there was a beam of sun- 
shine. True it is that the fire must be in the diamond be- 
fore it can shine or sparkle. Did you ever examine a rich 
jewel? It almost speaks to you. Its beauty is always 
present. But there is another thought in this lesson from 
the diamond. If it is genuine, it matters not from what 
viewpoint we approach it, it is shedding its light just the 
same. So in the life of Bishop Kephart. His was an all- 
round life; approach him from any angle, and his man- 
liness and nobility of character would meet you. Thus he 
stood, a central figure in the Church, loved by all, both in- 
side and outside the Church. 

His relation to the outside world (I mean his touch with 
men of affairs in commercial and political life) gave our 
denomination standing and reputation. 

To-day I am commissioned by the general officers of the 
Church to speak these words of appreciation and sincere 
love of one who has stood in the front rank of our leaders 
in the history of our Church. We think of him as our 
personal friend and helper. We grieve because of our loss, 
but rejoice in his victory won through Jesus our Lord in 
faithful service. Some one has said that "great men stand 



312 



As Others Esteem Him 



like solitary towers in the City of God, and secret passages 
running deep beneath eternal nature give their thoughts 
intercourse with higher intelligences, of which others do 
not even dream." So it was with Bishop Kephart. 

Some paragraphs from Dr. Eberly's "Personal Kem- 
iniscences," coming from a life-time personal friend, 
will be of permanent interest to all : 

In taking a retrospection of his well-rounded life, I can 
truthfully say that, in his conduct, actions, motives, and in 
the performance of duties, I can see less with which to find 
fault, and more to praise and to commend, than usually 
falls to the lot of men high in the councils of the Church. 

In the first place, he possessed an excellent mind. He 
was a good scholar, a sound theologian. His discourses 
bristled with thought, while the dews of heavenly grace 
which distilled from the words spoken gave hope, and joy, 
and peace, to hungry souls. Clear and logical, his utter- 
ances carried conviction to the heart; and many who have 
preceded him to the heavenly home have found their way 
there through his directing counsel. Eternity alone can re- 
veal the grandeur of his work as president of a college, in 
the planting of the immortal germs of truth, and in the in- 
stilling of those maxims which in their nature are free, 
even making free, leading to a higher and nobler man- 
hood and womanhood. 

At the head of Church interests he proved an ideal 
bishop. Of splendid physique, of noble bearing and cour- 
teous demeanor, he inspired respect and confidence. He 
was a model presiding officer, never got rattled, never 
mixed in partisan debate with the members of the confer- 
ence, and always maintained the dignity of his position 
and won the respect of all fair-minded persons by the cor- 
rectness of his rulings. I might justly say that by nature 
he was a ruler, because men generally looked to him as one 
who possessed sound reason and good judgment; they were 
attracted to him by virtue of his genial spirit, his frank 
open-heartedness, his sincerity, his love of truth, and his 
disposition to deal honestly and squarely with all men. In 
his nature there was nothing imperious, overbearing, dom- 
ineering, arrogant, or tyrannical. His very countenance 



313 



life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

was an index to the great philanthropic heart that beat in 
his breast. The acts of his life were the exponents, reveal- 
ing the powers to which elevation he could rise when occa- 
sion demanded. I can speak only for my own conference — 
the Pennsylvania — and I can say that I never heard any 
one speak a word of censure against him. Oh, how the 
ministers and members of our conference appreciated, loved, 
and esteemed Bishop Kephart, and they had a right to do 
so, as he was worthy of it all. 

His was a Christian family. His home was a place where 
God presided. A kind Providence had given him an excel- 
lent wife, who helped him in his early struggles, cheered 
and aided him in battling often against the tide, and gave 
him inspiration and comfort when the years of his success 
and triumph came. He lived to see his daughters grown up 
to cultured and refined womanhood, and become wives of 
educated and honored Christian gentlemen. His grand- 
children were the joy of his declining years, a sunshine to 
his life. 

One thought more: He never ceased to work until sum- 
moned by the great Master. The people heard him so 
gladly that, without due consideration to his years, they 
urged him on to that to which his willing nature so readily 
responded. To illustrate this I give an instance: On Sab- 
bath, the 6th of last August, he was listed to preach at the 
Penn Grove Camp. Thousands of people assembled, and 
at ten in the morning he preached, to the great delight and 
edification of the crowded congregation, for more than an 
hour. By a change of services he again preached in the 
evening, after which he went with me to my residence in 
Hanover. The train was late, and when he retired it was 
near midnight. At his request, in order to meet other en- 
gagements, he arose early, partook of breakfast, and before 
six o'clock was on his way home. To endure such labor re- 
quired an iron constitution. And this is the kind of service 
he rendered to the Church for years. In a most wonderful 
degree did he retain, in the advance stage of life, the pow- 
ers of his mind, and inborn energies of his soul. To the 
last he wielded with power "the sword of the Spirit and the 
hammer of the Word." 

But now his work is done. The messenger of death 
found him, not loitering, but far from his home in the field 

314 



As Others Esteem Him 



of labor, looking up to the sun, which he might think 
would not yet set, and still give him some additional time 
to make more conquests for Christ and the growth of his 
Church. To him we may apply the words of Montgomery: 

"Servant of God, well done; 
Rest from thy loved employ: 
The battle fought, the vict'ry won, 
Enter thy Master's joy. 

"The pains of death are past; 

Labor and sorrow cease; 
And, life's long warfare closed at last, 
His soul is found in peace." 

Bishop Castle's letters were filled with appreciative 
sympathy. In response to Bishop Kephart's request for 
retirement at the last General Conference, he said of 
Bishop Kephart : "I have had great admiration for his 
executive ability, for he has been the strong man on the 
Board of Bishops, as you know. When it came to 
matters of close decision, matters where the law of the 
Church was involved, we have rested heavily upon him." 
In a personal letter he says : 

It may be thought that the Bishop died prematurely. It 
may seem so to us, I grant; but a man who is converted 
to God when only seventeen, and gives nearly fifty years 
to a faithful and successful ministry, cannot be said to have 
departed too soon for the accomplishment of the divine 
purpose in his life. I think God's servants die at the right 
time. God looks after that, and it would be most inappro- 
priate to put a broken shaft over the grave of such an one. 
No! Round it up well, tall and high, for he started early, 
worked close to time, and finished his life-work most glo- 
riously. 

Bishop G. M. Mathews, in his "A Tribute to My Be- 
loved Friend," in the Telescope, has given the man as 
he saw him. A paragraph or two will be quoted here : 



315 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

Bishop Kephart's official relations as pastor, professor, 
college president, chairman of Church boards, and for 
twenty-five years general superintendent of our Church, 
enabled him to touch thousands of lives, and caused his 
name to be a household word in the homes of our people. 
This, with his abundant and beneficent labors throughout a 
long period of faithful service, made his sudden taking 
away more sad, and caused the heart of our Zion to ache 
with grief, even though his departure from this world was 
but a triumphant and glorious entrance into the unspeak- 
able felicities of the life immortal. Bishop Kephart first 
touched my life in 1865, when we were students in Otter- 
bein University, he being thirty-one and I sixteen 
years of age. Prom that time to the day of his 
death, in all my associations with him, he won 
and held my heart, commanded my admiration, and 
received my glad, loyal support; and he deserved 
it all, and more, because of his high qualities of 
character and eminent services. What a royal friend he 
was to us younger college students in the sixties. What in- 
terest he took in our peculiar struggles in those days, and 
how he, both by counsel and example, helped us to high 
ideals and noble aspirations! He carried, in his later days, 
the same cordiality and congeniality that marked his ear- 
lier years. Only those who knew Bishop Kephart inti- 
mately and best will appreciate the rich meaning of the 
expression "Zeek," with which he was familiarly addressed. 

Bishop Kephart's scholarship was known and acknowl- 
edged. It was thorough, definite, clear, and comprehensive. 

Bishop Kephart was a pillar in the Church. His char- 
acter was of the granite kind. He was upright, inflexible, 
and steadfast. He stood, like the oak, erect and unshaken 
in the fiercest storm. He was courageous in the advocacy 
of a great truth or cause, whatever others might say or do. 
He championed a movement or opposed it with a firmness 
of conviction that commanded attention and brought per- 
suasion. Besides being a pillar, he was a church leader, re- 
liable, aggressive, progressive, and determined. He guided 
our Church barque safely along rocky coasts and through 
stormy seas. While there have been other great leaders in 
the Church, he was their peer. 



316 



As Others Esteem Him 

THE ESTIMATE OF AN ASSOCIATE AND NEIGHBOR. 

Being in Porto Rico at the time of Bishop Kephart's 
death, I was of necessity absent from his funeral. I was 
his neighbor at Toledo, Iowa, for five years, and in Annville, 
Pa., for over four years, and his associate in office for over 
twelve years. In these intimate relations I learned to ap- 
preciate, in a high degree, his noble qualities of mind and 
heart, and to hold him in exalted esteem for his work's 
sake. 

We often were in each other's home, exchanging courte- 
sies and information, and consulting about Church matters. 
He was a man of clear judgment, warm German heart, but 
of very positive convictions. We often differed on questions 
of policy, but each regarded himself too much of a man to 
make these differences personal. Not only himself, but his 
noble wife and cultured daughters were always pleasant 
neighbors, whose friendship has ever been a source of pleas- 
ure and good cheer in my own home. 

But life flows quickly on, and we shall surely meet again. 

(Bishop) J. S. Mills. 

Bishop T. C. Carter says : 

I would bring a garland of fragrant and dewy memories 
from my Southern home, and lay it upon the cold brow of 
my ever-faithful friend. 

Bishop Kephart was a man among men. He was actively 
interested in all that made for the welfare of our sorrow- 
stricken race. He took a hand in public affairs, was always 
ready to fight on the right side of all moral questions, and 
was never tongue-tied when his voice should be lifted 
against oppression and wrong. He was an ecclesiastical 
statesman, whose leadership in our denomination was pre- 
eminently influential in guiding it through some crises 
which are not yet forgotten by his brethren. 

Bishop Kephart lived a consistent Christian life. This 
is the highest eulogy that can be spoken of any man. He 
was everywhere and on all occasions the friend of God and 
the advocate of his cause. He never for a moment lost 
sight of the sanctity of his religious profession, or the dig- 
nity of his calling as a minister of the Lord Jesus. On his 



317 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

tombstone might be placed the words: "His Christian char- 
acter was unspotted, his ministerial life was a tower of 
strength, and his end peaceful and glorious." 

Bishop W. M. Bell says : 

He was a good and great man. He wrought well in life's 
busy day, and his rest is peaceful and sweet. His ideals of 
manhood and womanhood were high, and he exemplified 
these in his own character very effectually. He did a 
great work in elevating the standard of our ministry every- 
where. His was a fruitful life. The hours spent in com- 
munion with him can never be forgotten. 

Some of the General Church officers presented esti- 
mates of his character and worth to the Church, which 
will be of interest to the general reader : 

AS MAN AND BISHOP. 

The marked characteristics of a man are to be determined 
by the viewpoint from which we make our observation. In 
a well-rounded character, such as marked the life of Bishop 
Kephart, it would be difficult to point to any particular 
one as distinctive. I see the Bishop as a man and as a 
presiding officer. As a man, he was ever of dignified mien, 
but with heart open to all whom he met, and with a na- 
ture that permitted the approach of man, woman, and 
child, who immediately felt at home in his presence, and 
the absolute sincerity of all he said or did. As a presiding 
officer at an annual conference, or in the more difficult po- 
sition, the General Conference, he manifested his great 
power. 

Is there one who will say he was arbitrary, or inclined 
to overrule the opinions of his brethren? I think none, un- 
less he was jealous of his power and strength. He was bold 
and fearless to express with emphasis what he thought was 
right; but who will say that he ever manifested ill-temper, 
or that his retort to another on the floor contained one word 
of personal nature, or that carried with it a sting? His 
words were ever tempered with that freedom from cant 



318 



As Others Esteem Him 

and vituperation that carried conviction to the unpreju- 
diced that he was right and he knew he was. His manly 
interpretations in the midst of stormy scenes on the floor, 
his strong, courageous utterances and advice have more 
frequently saved a shipwreck than many have considered. 
Our Church, all churches, need more like him, and will 
succeed better when they have men of his traits as leaders. 

L. O. Miller, 
General Church Treasurer. 

A GREAT LIFE. 

In the death of Bishop Kephart our denomination has 
lost one of its most faithful and influential servants, and 
the Church at large has lost a splendid example of true 
Christian manhood. The memory left to us is of a man 
whose character was as noble as his faith was unfailing and 
his labor tireless. With perhaps one exception, no other life 
since the days of Otterbein has diffused itself more widely 
and engrafted itself more securely into permanent vitality 
throughout our beloved Zion. The Bishop was eminent in 
scholarship — a man especially of wide theological and criti- 
cal learning, a distinguished jurist and parliamentarian, a 
wise counselor, and a strong preacher. But when his bio- 
graphy is finally written, his story will be best told and 
most admired in his greatness of soul and nobility of char- 
acter. The sublimest and most enduring thing in nature is 
the moral grandeur of a true manhood. His physical pres- 
ence itself begot respect, but when his sweet and generous 
spirit was known, and his supreme devotion to his divine 
Lord was appreciated, admiration and love came as nat- 
urally as does the fruitage to the vine that bears it. There 
was happily blended in him the spirit of the Boanerges 
with that of the disciple beloved — the tenderness of one 
supplementing the forcefulness of the other. His system 
of moral philosophy included all that was good and beauti- 
ful in God's world, no matter where it was found. He had 
the divine ability of heart to separate the grandeur of earth 
from its infirmities, to hear strains of music rising above 
its harshest tumult, and to see, above the spectacle of vice 
and fraud, the greatness of the kingdom of man, and an 
ever-advancing humanity. The character and influence of 



319 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

Bishop Kephart will grow upon the Church; future gen- 
erations will do him honor; new altars will be dedicated 
with the teachings of his life: "To do justly, to love mercy, 
and to walk humbly with thy God." The writer will never 
cease to be grateful for his warm personal friendship. 

H. H. Fout, 
Editor Sunday-School Literature. 

AN IMPERISHABLE LIFE. 

It is customary to speak well of the dead, even though 
some are not admired in life; but Bishop Kephart was one 
whose weaknesses were so well concealed, and whose vir- 
tues were so well defined, that all who knew him loved 
him. My personal acquaintance with him began with his 
elevation to the bishopric, in 1881. From that time on I 
was much in his company, socially and officially. He was 
strong on church law, and his advice was valuable on ques- 
tions requiring nice discrimination. In the chair he was 
firm, but always fair. As a preacher, he was clear and con- 
vincing. As a friend and brother, he was genial and cor- 
dial. I never admired him more than at the last General 
Conference, where his leadership was conspicuous. The 
impress of his life and work will be imperishable. 

Robert Cowden, 
General Sunday-School Secretary. 

memories that inspire. 
Memory brings back our silver anniversary in Dayton, in 
1900, when Bishop Kephart made report of his last visit to 
Africa, the first after the uprising. He had visited every 
one of our stations, and presented vivid pictures of condi- 
tions as he saw them, giving us strong encouragement to go 
forward. There were with us then Bishops Weaver, Hott, 
and Kephart; now all three are gone, but their lives are 
held in our memories, and stir us up to nobler things. We 
remember the Bishop at the last session of our General 
Conference. We marked his keen legal brain, his ready 
solving of knotty points, his fearless stand upon the is- 
sues of the hour, and it seemed too early for him to step 
aside from active service. In fact, he never did; the sum- 
mons came to him in the field, suddenly, with little warn- 



320 



As Others Esteem Him 

ing. We may not choose, but it seems a beautiful thing to 
die in the harness; one minute herein to work, the next, 
over there in glory. 

Mrs. B. F. Witt, 
Corresponding Secretary Woman's Missionary Association. 

A MAN OF RARE ABILITY. 

With the message, "Bishop Kephart is dead," there came 
to the writer a deep sense of personal loss. The privilege 
to count Bishop Kephart as a friend was a source of 
strength. The influence of his sturdy manhood was very 
helpful. As a traveling companion, he was most congenial; 
as a guest in the home, he was entertaining; as a pulpit 
orator, he was dignified and strong; as a presiding officer, 
his firm adherence to the law brought respect for the 
Church. In cases of needed advice, his counsel was safe. 
His leadership in the general interests of the Church has 
been marked by success. His writings have been vigorous, 
and his interpretation of ecclesiastical law has been clear. 
No man's opinions were taken with more weight in the late 
General Conference than his. It is a pleasure to acknowl- 
edge the real help that has come to the office of the Home 
Missionary Society in the last few months through the com- 
munications of Bishop Kephart. We call the attention of 
all the readers of the Telescope to one among the last pa- 
pers the Bishop wrote, the strong, vigorous article on the 
Woman's Auxiliary, as found in the home department of the 
Missionary Advance for February. 

With head and heart bowed before God, I wish to bear 
tribute to the life of this great man, in the language of the 
Word, "He being dead yet speaketh." 

C. Whitney, 
General Secretary Home Missionary Society. 

COLLEGE LIFE AND BEYOND. 

I was professor of mathematics in Otterbein University 
from 1862 to 1867. During a part of this time Bishop Kep- 
hart was a member of my classes. We were born and reared 
in adjoining counties in Pennsylvania, and this fact intensi- 
fied our pleasant relations. During all the intervening 
years we have been warm, personal, confidential friends. 



21 



321 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

My memory of those early days is that while he was not 
brilliant, he was better than that, he was an earnest, faith- 
ful, plodding student, on whom you could always depend 
for a perfect lesson. He graduated from what we called 
our scientific department, in 1865. The years that have 
come and gone have only deepened, and strengthened, 
and made more manifest, the traits then shown. He did 
not jump at conclusions, but carefully and cautiously sur- 
veyed the ground, and, when he was sure of his position, he 
held fast with a tight grip. This disposition of his made 
him a very valuable help in the struggles which led to the 
division of the Church. His sympathies must wait on his 
judgment; when convinced of the truthfulness of a position, 
only inexorable logic would move him. He was the kind of 
a man specially helpful in troublous times. A great man 
has fallen in our denomination. If only he could have lived 
until after the convention, how his sober, sedate judgment 
would have helped us to steer our craft wisely into un- 
known seas. H. A. Thompson, 

Editor United Brethren Review. 

A FRIEND INDEED. 

I love to think of Bishop Kephart as a genuine friend. 
His great responsibility as a bishop did not shut out those 
passive qualities that made him a most interesting, help- 
ful friend. He had a dignit3 r in his nature that gave him 
access to the most exalted of earth, and a simplicity that 
welcomed the little children into his presence. He culti- 
vated friendship, and never seemed to forget any one whom 
he once knew. His attractive personality made him a great 
power in dealing personally with men of all classes. He 
would seek out business men and others, usually over- 
looked by Christian workers, and in a most loving way 
would lay on their hearts the claims of Jesus Christ. He 
approached a judge of one of the superior courts on the 
subject of religion, and found the learned judge to welcome 
a personal conversation about Christ, and in a short time 
thereafter he sent for the Bishop to come and pray with 
him, when he entered the kingdom of God praying the 
prayer his mother taught him when a child. But few knew 



322 



As Others Esteem Him 

of the work he did in this quiet way. Heaven alone will re- 
veal the good he has done. 

Bishop Kephart possessed that type of life that has en- 
during qualities. His was a well-balanced, many-sided life, 
that reached a high average of excellence in its develop- 
ment. S. S. Hough, 
General Secretary of Foreign Missionary Society. 

AN ALL-ROUND MAN. 

A truly great man has fallen in Israel. He was a man of 
various talents and attainments. In him was profound 
scholarship, soundness of judgment, executive ability, 
knowledge of parliamentary law, positive faith in the prin- 
ciples of the gospel, and a lofty conception of character. 
All these were made attractive in the radiance of his earn- 
est Christian life. He justly merited the place accorded 
him among the leaders of our denomination. As we now 
view his whole life and work he appears to us as the high- 
est specimen of an all-round Christian character which the 
ministry of our Zion has produced. He brought sinners 
into the kingdom of God; he led a multitude of youths into 
the realm of true knowledge; his sermons and lectures 
strengthened the foundations under many a Christian be- 
liever; his sincerity and integrity made men and women 
respect Christianity; his loyalty to what he believed was 
right was most beautiful and strong. But he has gone from 
us in answer to the heavenly summons. Two things com- 
fort our hearts: "He being dead yet speaketh"; we may 
meet him again in the eternal morning. 

W. O. Fries, 
Associate Editor Sunday-School Literature. 

A LEADER IN CHURCH PROGRESS. 

Bishop Kephart was distinctively a leader in the progress 
of the Church. During the days of the radical and liberal 
controversy, Bishop Kephart's counsel steadied the Church 
as it passed through the storm. While some of our church- 
men saw the loss of many radical members if concessions 
were not made to them, he saw a greater loss of members, 
and a disintegration of the entire denomination if such 
concessions were made. Bishop Kephart wrought valiantly 



323 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

for our educational interests, was a strong pulpit man, a 
vigorous writer, raised the standard for the ministry, was 
a splendid executive officer, a broad-minded churchman, and 
contributed in many ways to the present-day achievements 
of our denomination. C. M. Beooke, 

Manager Union Biblical Seminary. 

As an expression of our esteem for our brother, Bishop 
E. B. Kephart, our deep sorrow at his departure from us, 
and our heartfelt sympathy for you in your bereavement, 
the Indiana Conference, in session at Odon, Indiana, Sep- 
tember 5-9, passed the following resolution: 

In view of the fact that our beloved brother, Bishop E. 
B. Kephart, D.D., L.L.D., has in the providence of God been 
taken from us and his chosen work and field to his crown 
and reward, with tenderest love and sympathy for his fam- 
ily and loved ones, we bow our heads in grief with them, 
but look up with the bright hope of meeting him in the 
better world. 

Resolved, That in him the Church loses a guiding genius, 
and that we each lose a tender and loving friend and wise 
counselor. We bless his memory and cherish his many 
virtues. 

C. C. Breden, 
W. E. Snyder, 
J. H. Walls, 

Committee. 

W. E. Snyder, Conference Secretary. 

The members of St. Joseph Annual Conference, in session 
at North Manchester, Indiana, September 12-16, 1906, are 
bowed in grief. Our loss is great, but it is not only the loss 
of St. Joseph Conference, but the loss of the entire Church 
and Christian civilization. 

A strange Providence has enveloped the Church with a 
dense gloom, and while we were in the gloom God gently 
wafted the soul of a mighty man unto himself, that of 
Bishop E. B. Kephart. He walked with God, and is no 
more with us, for God has translated and crowned him. 

Is he no more with us? Ah! his magnanimous spirit is 
not afar from us. The influence of his noble life, like the 



324 



As Others Esteem Him 

perfume of a rose, is in our midst. The usefulness of that 
sublime life still sits upon the throne of our consciousness; 
the ability of that cultured soul still directs us in our de- 
liberations; the majesty of that noble physique still stands 
before us in all sublimity and grandeur. 

But, withal, we cannot refrain from giving expression 
to our emotions. The Bishop's personal presence is absent 
from us in the Church, and we needed him so much. He 
graced our annual conferences, and added untold dignity 
to them all. In every department of the Church, and in 
every position which was his to occupy, he was an honor 
and an adornment. As a statesman he excelled, as an 
orator he had few peers, as a parliamentarian he was un- 
surpassed, as a theologian he was a recognized leader, as a 
friend he was true, as a father he was revered, and as a 
husband he was dearly beloved. At home or abroad he 
towered like a giant, a leader grand and mighty, yet he was 
as gentle as the gentlest, and as humble as the humblest. 

St. Joseph Conference appreciates the ability and love of 
our beloved Bishop Kephart, expresses its sincerest sym- 
pathy for Sister Kephart in her bereavement, and has 
resolved to print in its Minutes this humble acknowledg- 
ment of its debt to this great man. The secretary is author- 
ized to send a copy of this recognition to the bereaved 
family. 

L. A. Stangle, 
J. Simons. 

The faculty and students of Union Biblical Seminary 
passed resolutions, which have found their place in 
connection with his work as an educator. The day fol- 
lowing his death was the Day of Prayer for Colleges, 
and this body, moved by a feeling of need, tarried long 
in petition for God's blessings upon the institutions of 
the Church, with which Bishop Kephart stood so closely 
identified. 

The Foreign Missionary Society passed resolutions, 
from which the following is quoted: 



325 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

It is with a degree of sadness that we record the great 
loss we have sustained as a Church and a Board, in the 
recent sudden translation of our esteemed brother, Bishop 
E. B. Kephart, D.D., whose manly presence and wise coun- 
sel for twenty-five years were always a help and inspiration 
to the work of missions. The three episcopal visits which 
he made to the African mission field gave him an enlarged 
vision of the work and needs of the field such as few men 
possess. 

Bishop W. M. Bell, D.D., former Missionary Secre- 
tary, gives the following estimate of Bishop Kephart's 
relation to the work of missions : 

During my twelve years of service as Missionary Secre- 
tary, Bishop Kephart was either Vice-President or Presi- 
dent of the Missionary Society. As a bishop, he was a 
frequent visitor to our foreign missions in Germany and 
Africa. His reports to the board were always most help- 
ful, discriminating, and informing. As to our foreign 
work, he invariably had courage for the work, and always 
spoke in terms of highest praise touching our foreign mis- 
sionaries, whose labors he was so often permitted to review. 
His visions and sympathy were as broad as the race, and 
he could be counted on to advocate the broadening of the 
activities of the Church in the foreign fields. He was a 
leader in all the forward movements and new enterprises 
of the Missionary Society. His ideas were for broad gauge 
work in all phases of the missionary enterprise. Any man 
or woman revealing a conviction for service in the for- 
eign field had his immediate and sympathetic attention and 
interest. 

His estimate of the foreign field was such that when it 
came to the selection of missionaries, none were too good 
or too great for such a call. He believed fully in the policy of 
training native workers for gospel work, and hence he was 
largely instrumental in bringing to the United States the 
Rev. Alfred Sumner, for his education. He was often heard 
to say, in board meetings and annual conferences, that the 
Church was not half giving for its missionary work. He 
was ever expecting that the Church would give more liber- 



326 



As Others Esteem Him 



ally, so that greater progress could be made. Any appeal 
for help in the home field had in him a prompt and wor- 
thy champion. He expected advancement, and reckoned 
that all plans should be based on that expectation. His 
bold confidence that more money and more men would be 
forthcoming for the cause of missions, made his addresses 
contribute to hopeful and expanding policies. Touching 
Bishop Kephart's relation to the cause of missions, one 
characteristic, all dominant and ever dominant, was his 
everlasting hopefulness. No matter what happened, all 
would "oe well. Reverses would be overruled and highest 
successes augmented. He was a prophet of good things to 
come. Victory at home and abroad was as sure as the prom- 
ises of God. I thank God for the memory of his sunny 
missionary faith and vision. 

Kev. H. S. Jenanyan, founder of the Apostles' Insti- 
tute, Konia (Iconrum), Asia Minor: 

In him I lost one of my best friends and counselors in 
this country. My mission and distressed people of Armenia 
have thus lost an earnest, true, and ever-ready helper. God 
gave him a fine, large physique, but his heart was much 
larger; his sympathy was manifest, and worked out for the 
people beyond the seas. His worthy service and great sac- 
rifice were given to all in need. To him it was an untold 
pleasure to be a friend to the friendless, and assist the 
helpless by his words, pen, and purse; and he was ever 
ready to do the work from which many might justly excuse 
themselves. It was hard for Bishop Kephart to say "no" to 
any good object he was asked to aid for conscience, for love, 
or for Christ's sake. He did not boast of what he did, 
neither seemed aware of the greatness of his work. There 
was no show, or blowing of the trumpet, but he freely scat- 
tered seeds of kindness. Goodness and kindness were sec- 
ond nature to him. He was a great man in the highest 
sense, although he did not know or assume it. We knew 
him humble in spirit, with the truthful simplicity of a 
child. He talked, walked, and worked with us as one of us; 
nevertheless, he was a theologian, a poet without rhyme, 
and a philosopher of the Church. His love for me and my 



327 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

suffering people drew me to him, and made me to learn, 
know, and love the Church of the United Brethren in 
Christ. 

The Church Erection Society passed appropriate res- 
olutions of respect and sympathy. Bishop W. M. 
Weekley, D.D., former Church Erection Secretary, thus 
writes of Bishop Kephart's relation to that department 
of Church work: 

Bishop Kephart was the friend of church erection, and 
delighted in the growth which he saw the great cause 
making. He often so expressed himself to me in private. 
But why single out church erection? He was the cham- 
pion of every general interest, and brought to its support 
the strength of his ripened years. He was a United Breth- 
ren, and was faithful in his encouragement of anything 
identified with his Church. My first church-erection speech, 
after I was elected secretary, was made at Central Illinois 
Conference, where he presided. At the close of the address 
he stepped forward and gave me his blessing, which was a 
signal for every minister in the house to do likewise. At 
the close of the meeting he said to me, "Now, if you can 
keep this thing up you will succeed." I tried to keep it up, 
and he witnessed the success which came in after years 
with approved satisfaction. He is still interested in church 
erection. 

Resolutions were also passed by other Church boards, 
expressing their share of loss and sympathy for the 
bereft family and Church. Some of the annual con- 
ferences, in their sessions of 1906, passed similar reso- 
lutions. 

The Hon. W. B. Allison, United States Senator from 
Iowa, wrote : "I could not refrain from expressing my 
deep regret at the loss of so good a man as the late 
Bishop Kephart." 



328 




A reproduction of the Resolutions adopted by the Iowa Senate, a copy of 
which was sent to the family as an expression of the esteem in 
which the Bishop was held by the legislative body of 
which he was an ex-member. 



As Others Esteem Him 



Following are a few additional expressions of appre- 
ciation duplicated in the many letters of sympathy re- 
ceived in the hour of bereavement : "A life above sus- 
picion, bnt gentle and kind." "We shall not forget him 
here, as he moved among us as one who had power." 
"Many of the liberal advances of our Church are due to 
his wise guidance and leadership." "The Church has 
lost a great leader, and our country a true patriot." 
"He was a man of great heart-power and a pure life. 
All who came in contact with him loved him when they 
saw the unselfishness of his heart." "Death never came 
nearer to me, except in case of my own kindred. No 
one has done more to strengthen and inspire me in life's 
arduous duties and struggles." "The good he has done 
will stand as an everlasting monument of his worth, and 
encourage others to be more faithful. Truly a beauti- 
ful character has left us. Beautiful in life, we know it 
would be still more so in death." "I am a better man 
because I knew Bishop Kephart." "I honored him as 
one of the Church's great men, for his high culture and 
noble Christian character, and respected him always as 
a personal friend." "He was not a partisan, but a true 
Christian friend, and showed his spirit alike to all. He 
was above schemes and trickery, ever ready to do the 
right, open, above board." "Bishop E. B. Kephart was 
one of God's great and good men, great because of his 
goodness." "Bishop Kephart made a lasting impres- 
sion on me by his kindness, his encouraging words, and 
his profundity of knowledge." "We, of the South Dis- 
trict, feel that we have lost a true friend, a noble 
Christian minister, a father in Israel." "He was my 



329 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 



personal friend, a worthy man among men, and has left 
to his beloved Church, and to us all, an example of wise 
and faithful leadership." "When he died, in my opin- 
ion, the Church lost the greatest bishop it ever had." 
"He was an honorable Christian gentleman of the high- 
est type." "Bishop Kephart was one of the great men 
of my acquaintance, and one of the most lovable. He 
was a man whom we admired without reservation, and 
whose presence was of itself an inspiration. He left a 
strong impress on our lives, and that impress, and the 
memory of his great-hearted character, will always abide 
with us." "How many times and occasions I can recall 
of his great kindness — distinguished kindness — to me as 
an individual, and as an officer of the W. M. A." "I 
shall never forget the great, kindly, sympathetic heart 
of the Bishop. He was a helpful inspiration to me in 
my college days." "It would have done you good to 
hear many students say how much they owe to him." 
"His life is worthy of imitation. His optimistic view 
brought a spirit of cheerfulness that his biographer 
cannot portray. He was a great man, with a vision of 
the future that placed him in the front ranks of our 
Church." "I looked up to him as a friend and coun- 
selor. I owe more to his wise and judicious counsel 
than to any other person in the Church I love." "We 
had learned to have a great admiration for Bishop Kep- 
hart, as a scholar, a public-spirited citizen, a Christian 
gentleman, and a personal friend." "His influence and 
personality have been important factors in shaping my 
life, and I look back to my school-days with the pro- 
foundest satisfaction that I was under the influence of 



330 



As Others Esteem Him 



such a man." "AH who ever truly knew him will say 
that it was a blessing to know him, for his daily life was 
a constant example of Christian graces. Who ever heard 
him complain of any duty, however trying? It would 
be difficult, indeed, to find one who had so much good 
will for all humanity as he." "No other one man has 
influenced my life as much as Bishop Kephart, and I 
have even said that I hope I can be the good man he 
so constantly appeared to me." iC We feel the Church 
has lost from service its greatest man." "I owe more to 
that dear good man than to any other minister of the 
denomination. Indeed, had it not been for him, I 
doubt if I would be in the ministry of this Church. He 
did more to lift up the standard of the denomination 
to a sensible basis than any other man in the denomina- 
tion." " He lived such a balanced life, such a life con- 
trolled by the Spirit of God and highest wisdom, that I 
believe he will be speaking in all the years to come in 
louder and louder tones." "His colossal character, 
splendid leadership, and long, faithful, fruitful life 
form a monument that will abide forever." "For his 
knowledge of Church law, and for his safe and sound 
judgment, he was unsurpassed. He was a real compan- 
ion to all our ministers, being universally spoken of in 
this relation. His name and influence in connection with 
our educational work in particular, and with all the 
work of the Church in general, will be richly cherished. 
How faithfully and generously he wrought ! He was a 
noble man of God!" "I've known him for thirty odd 
years. He was a factor in God's kingdom, and did 
really lift up humanity. His going was free from pain, 



331 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

likely, and the life which he led will cause no remorse. 
But the deeds of kindness to his fellow-men will long 
be remembered by the thousands who knew him." "It 
was a great privilege to know him and be under his wise 
leadership." 

He was preeminently the young man's friend. Many 
testimonials like the following have been received : 

"He manifested an interest in me and my work, as I 
was sent to my first work after completing my 
course in the Seminary." "In his death I have, as a 
young man in the ministry, lost a faithful friend, and 
one whose memory will linger until I, too, must touch 
the shores of that unseen country." "Bishop Kephart 
was one of my dearest friends. When but a babe, he 
ministered in holy things to my parents. He was close 

to me when the heavy burden of responsibility at 

church was upon me. He dedicated the church when 
completed, and consecrated our missionaries when we 
sent them out. In a hundred ways he has come in help- 
ful touch with my life." "When I was a boy, he was 
the uncle who always stood by me in my squabbles; to 
whom I could go in my troubles. When a student in 
college, it was the same. I was sometimes rude, he was 
always patient ; discouraged, he would hold me up ; and 
when I did wrong he forgot it. As time goes on, I real- 
ize more and more how his influence in those early years 
has entered into the shaping of my life in these later 
years." "What a capable, sincere, warm-hearted, 
stanch man he was. To know him was to esteem him 
and love him. I feel that nothing that could be said of 
a man would be too good to say for him, for he was a 



332 



As Others Esteem Him 



part of the 'salt of the earth. 7 " "He was much more 
than an ordinary man, and wrought more good in the 
world. He left a deep impress on the world, so that 
though gone, he yet lives in the hearts and lives of many 
people." "My heart has been deeply overshadowed 
since learning of his unexpected and, humanly speak- 
ing, untimely death. To the Church at large his pass- 
ing away at this time, or at any time, cannot but be an 
unqualified calamity; but oh, how immeasurable it is to 
the hundreds of young men in whom he was always so 
deeply interested, and whom he constantly sought to 
aid. Because to me and countless others of the young 
men of our Church, his life was so sympathetic and 
inspirational, so kind and helpful in its touch, I write 
to say that I feel a keen and distinct sense of loss, for 
I loved him, too, loved him so much." "I feel that 
in the death of Bishop Kephart I have lost a true 
friend, and the Church has lost its wisest and safest 
leader." "I have never met a student of his that did 
not love and honor him, and I doubt if one will hear of 
his death with dry eyes." "I never met a man that it 
was so great a pleasure to be with, nor one who, though 
he seldom spoke of religion, by his whole manner in- 
stilled its lessons so effectively." 

BISHOP E. B. KEPHART. 

As Aaron's breastplate gave its light 

From jewels rich and rare — 
His life sent forth a radiance bright, 

From virtues centered there. 



333 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

Like Israel's priest, upon his heart 
Who bore the tribes of old — 

In men he took an earnest part, 
And for their weal was bold. 

Wisdom he had — and did dispense 

That trinity profound, 
In nature, grace, and providence 

With which he did abound. 

Ke ruled in Church, he ruled in State 

With a demeanor mild; 
Humility had made him great — 

The giant, from the child. 

He was not old — three score and ten 

Beheld him at his best; 
He mightier grew, with mightier men, 

As on he journeyed west. 

He did not fall by slow decay, 

Or ling'ring ills of years, 
But passes suddenly away, 

As Enoch disappears. 

From earth to heaven — as by a stroke; 

The storm was strong, but brief — 
So falls, at times, the mighty oak — 

Our hearts are full of grief. 

While sorrow's fingers touch the strings, 
Which the deep sadness tells, 

Each harp in heaven with gladness rings, 
And loud the anthem swells. 

Rest, brother, from thy labors rest, 
Thy works shall follow thee, 

And multitudes by them be blest 
As on the ages flee. 

L. L. Hagee. 

Findley Lake, N. Y. 



334 



"Death takes us by surprise, 
And stays our hurrying feet ; 
The great design unfinished lies, 
Our lives are incomplete. 

"But in the dark unknown 
Perfect their circles seem, 
Even as a bridge's arch of stone 
Is rounded in the stream. 

"Alike are life and death, 
When life in death survives, 
And the uninterrupted breath 
Inspires a thousand lives." 

— Longfellow. 

"The man is praying, who doth press with might 
Out of his darkness into God's own light." 

— Trench. 

"The smallest children are nearest to God, as the smallest planets 
are nearest the sun." — Richter. 

"If the life that has gone out has been like music, full of con- 
cords, full of sweetness, richness, delicacy, truth, then there are two 
right ways to look at it. One is to say, 'I have not lost it.' An- 
other is to say, "Blessed be God that I have had it so lori^.' " — 
Henry Ward Beecher. 



335 



CHAPTER XX. 



A CHARACTER SKETCH. 

Even in a well-rounded man, certain traits of char- 
acter become prominent, especially if he does as much 
work as Bishop Kephart. In him some characteristics 
were so apparent that they could be seen by those who 
only met him once. Others were not so manifest. 

His success in life depended much upon his attention 
to details. Little things to him had a degree of im- 
portance. He never was too busy to attend to the needs 
of an individual. His ear was always open to any proper 
petition, however humble the individual. Complaints 
and questions from presiding elders, ministers, laymen, 
sometimes involving many petty local details, were 
treated by him with deference. He would carefully ex- 
amine all, then apply the Church law and Christian 
principle. He knew the welfare of the Church at large 
depended upon the success and prosperity of the local 
church, even though it be but a humble mission. The 
humblest child of the Church to him was not without 
significance. 

Some men who attend to details seem to have their 
mental vision obscured by holding one of these so close 
to the eye that it shuts out the great world of which the 
little interest is an infinitesimal part. This species of 
myopia is unfortunately prevalent in the ministry. 



336 



A Character Sketch 

Many can see but one church interest. This was the 
difficulty in the secrecy question. Sometimes a slight 
indiscretion or irregularity of some member is so mag- 
nified as to disorganize a church, or destroy an institu- 
tion of the church. To Bishop Kephart, each detail had 
a relative importance, dependent on its connection with 
the whole. His sympathies were never withheld from 
any enterprise which he believed would advance the 
general Church. He believed that the entire Church 
should be led to unite on one general interest after an- 
other, until the whole should stand symmetrically com- 
plete. Sometimes we find him officially connected with 
an organization before it is adopted by the Church, 
thus anticipating its needs. The organization of the 
United Brethren Historical Society illustrates this trait. 
It was organized in 1885. It had been collecting im- 
portant facts and relics of United Brethren Church 
history, and of the leading men of the denomination. 
The General Conference of 1889 adopted the following 
resolution : 

In view of the increasing importance to be attached to 
securing and preserving the papers, letters, relics, etc., con- 
nected with our Church fathers and Church life, 

Resolved, That this General Conference hereby officially 
recognizes the Historical Society, of which Bishop Kephart 
is now president, as the Historical Society of the Church 
of the United Brethren in Christ; and that said society 
shall, through its officers, make a quadrennial report to the 
General Conference. 

Emphasis has already been laid in this work upon 
his connection with education, he having served as pres- 
ident of the Board during the entire six quadrenniums, 

22 33 7 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

and of his zeal for missions, including church erection 
at home and abroad. 

He never forgot the Sunday school. The Bible 
Teacher of March, 1906, says of him: 

The Sunday-school work has especially lost a faithful 
friend and supporter. With pen and voice he emphasized 
the place and potency of this department of Church work 
in the spread of the kingdom. The children were near to 
his heart. His last contribution to our Bible Teacher ap- 
pears in the December issue, on the subject of "Child Con- 
version." It contains the following characteristic state- 
ment: "The brighter dawn of church life will be when 
she (the church) becomes so quickened from above that 
she realizes that God's purpose is that not one moment of 
any individual should be spent in sin, The entire life, the 
whole heart, is his demand. . . . The child-life is the 
fruitful field for church-workers." In the year 1896 the 
Bishop was elected member of the International Lesson 
Committee. He ably represented the Church in this capac- 
ity until 1902, when in turn our denomination was to be 
represented by a layman. 

His meetings with the International Lesson Com- 
mittee were to him a great joy, and he formed a strong 
attachment, personally, with individual members of the 
committee. At the meeting in Denver, June 30, 1902, 
the following resolutions were passed, and signed by 
members of this committee individually : 

Denver, Colo., June 30, 1902. 

Rev. E. B. Kephart, D.D.: 

Reverend and dear Sir: — We, the undersigned members of 
the International Lesson Committee, desire to express to 
you our sincere regret at your withdrawal from the work of 
the committee. During the past six years we have enjoyed 
and appreciated your fellowship and cooperation, and we 



338 



A Character Sketch 



feel keenly the loss which the work has sustained by your 
retirement. "Wishing you every blessing and success, we 
remain, Faithfully yours, 

John Potts, 
B. B. Tyler, 
Henry W. "Wabben, 
John R. Sampey, 
John S, Stahb, 
J. R. Pepper, 
M. Rhodes, 

A. F. SCHATJEFLER, 

Elmore I. Rexeord. 

He was a charter member of the Anti-Saloon League 
of America, always an ardent supporter of the organ- 
ization, rejoicing in every victory it achieved. He was 
a member of the National Geographical Society, and a 
careful reader of its publications. In fact, he was al- 
ways responsive to any movement which would increase 
the knowledge of man, or lift him to higher planes of 
right living. Every individual, organization, or insti- 
tution, which had for its object the promotion of these 
higher interests, always found him ready to cooperate. 

His mental characteristics were marked, dominating 
emotion and will, but in perfect harmony with them. 
He sometimes said that God made man upright, and 
placed his head at the top of his spinal column that it 
might rule the man. As Dr. Thompson has said : "He 
did not jump at conclusions, but carefully and cau- 
tiously surveyed the ground, and, when he was sure of 
his position, he held fast with a tight grip. His sym- 
pathies must wait on his judgment; when convinced of 
the truthfulness of a position, only inexorable logic 
could move him." 



339 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

This adjustment of his faculties made his statements 
very positive, because backed up by great strength of 
conviction. Perhaps he did not entirely escape that 
fixedness of opinion which comes with advancing age, 
making it difficult for him to appreciate some develop- 
ments in biblical learning not wholly in harmony with 
his earlier views, but it may be said of him that his 
conservatism was optimistically progressive, and he was 
waiting for "inexorable logic." These elements made 
him strong in Christian apologetics. He was always 
ready to draw his sword in defense of the Sacred Word. 

This peculiar balance gave his mind its legal color- 
ing. He regarded all law as based upon right, and his 
interpretations were always in harmony with this prin- 
ciple. He objected to the law on secrecy because opposed 
to this right which centered in God. 

Simplicity of style and manner was a prominent 
characteristic. This was made possible for him because 
of the thoroughness of his thinking. He sought to mas- 
ter a subject in all its relations, and when it became 
plain and easy to himself, it naturally clothed itself in 
simple language. This element of simplicity impressed 
all who met him, as is evidenced by the following sketch 
taken from a Baltimore newspaper, when he resided in 
that city: 

The most striking personality of the half-dozen bishops 
that now reside in the Monumental City is possessed by 
Bishop Ezekiel B. Kephart, of the United Brethren in Christ 
Church. The Bishop is a big man all over. He has a big 
body, a big brain, and a big heart. . . . He is a little 
over six feet tall, and has a pair of shoulders that are built 
on the John L. Sullivan style. His face is broad and mass- 



A Character Sketch 



ive, and his forehead is high and wide. Burnsides adorn 
his face, and his black eyes are full of kindness, beneath 
arching eyebrows. 

Bishop Kephart uses the simplest language, and uses it 
in the most off-hand manner. There is no attempt to dis- 
play the vast learning he possesses, nor is there the slight- 
est effort to impress upon one the fact that he is in the 
presence of the bishop of a church. 

A man of such mental type will surely be natural and 
simple in his religion. He had an unwavering faith. 
Of course he had met his doubts, as every one must who 
really thinks. But, being honest, and bent on mastery, 
he had climbed above the clouds, and dwelt in the per- 
petual sunshine of God's countenance. His faith being 
thus grounded on reason, his judgment fully convinced, 
he let loose the reins of his affections, and loved the 
Lord his God with all his soul, and mind, and strength. 
His whole being thus became Christ-centered. 

Any one who knew him well could not fail to be im- 
pressed with his natural, but unreserved devotion to 
duty. To him there was no question respecting his first 
duty — it was to God. His own preferences, and the 
wishes of his loved ones at home, who were dearer to 
him than his own life, must be sacrificed on the altar of 
God. This was an established principle, on no account 
to be violated. On his way to Africa he wrote: "Oh, 
how happy I would be if I were with my dear wife and 
family ! but duty calls me, and I must obey." 

His belief in man was the complement of his faith 
in God. His trust was very seldom betrayed. Far 
more frequently it aroused honor, integrity, true man- 
liness in the one trusted. He who would betray such 



341 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

simple trust would seem to be beyond all hope of re- 
demption. Its power to save is immeasurable. When 
given in His name, it is heaven's grace incarnate. 

On the one hand, his religion was apparent in his 
manner of walk, the ease and naturalness of his greet- 
ings, and his easy approachableness. One said of him: 
"You can see that Bishop Kephart is a good man by the 
way he walks down the street." On the other hand, he 
never made a nourish of his religion. It was the farthest 
extreme from cant or "other worldliness." In social 
conversation he seldom spoke of religion. When im- 
pressed, however, that he ought to speak to an individual 
on this subject, he treated it as he did every duty — 
went straight to the point, and seldom failed in winning 
a soul for Christ. He was generous in giving of money 
to the Church, contributing many thousands of dollars 
in the same simple manner, without ostentation. Pro- 
portionally, he gave far beyond his means. At the close 
of his life, when he saw the possibility of paying beyond 
subscriptions already made, he gave "death notes" to 
needy colleges. He never mentioned these gifts boast- 
ingly, but sometimes publicly, to stir others up to a 
sense of responsibility to God. 

Notwithstanding so many mild qualities combined in 
him, the lion was also there, and although never aroused 
save in the presence of flagrant unrighteousness or 
cowardly "bluffing/' when once so aroused it was ter- 
rible. The following incident will illustrate this trait : 
"Being engaged to dedicate a church in a certain town, 
as was his custom, he called the trustees together the 
day previous, to make a full financial statement, that 



342 



A Character Sketch 



he might know the amount to be raised, and how to 
proceed, etc. The contractor was very arbitrary, and 
refused to stand by his agreement. At one business 
meeting he made one statement about the mat- 
ter, and subsequently another not in harmony with the 
first. The Bishop said to him : 'Last night you said one 
thing, and to-day you say just the opposite. Both can- 
not be true. Which shall we believe T. The person ad- 
dressed was a big, sinewy mountaineer, and he flew into 
a rage, jumped up, shook his fist, and said, 'If you say I 
lie, I'll crawl all over you/ Said the Bishop : 'Sir, you 
can't crawl over one side of me, and you sit down there 
and behave yourself, or I will throw you out of this 
house. Eemember, I was not brought up in the moun- 
tains to be scared by a screech-owl.' The Bishop then said 
to the church board : 'Since this brother refuses to make 
settlement, the only thing for me to do is to pack my 
grip and go home. I cannot dedicate your church with- 
out a settlement of these accounts/ In the afternoon, 
with grip in hand the Bishop, on his way to the station, 
met the obstreperous contractor, who had thought 
better of the matter; he repented of his con- 
duct, begged the Bishop to forgive him, and stay to dedi- 
cate the church for them. The Bishop never held mal- 
ice, but simply demanded that the individual 'bring 
forth fruit meet for repentance/ The matter was 
amicably settled, and the church dedicated according 
to announcement." 

The following incident illustrates the same trait: 



343 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

"A person who had defrauded his local church and 
was denied an honorable dismissal, came to the Bishop 
at one of his conferences, and desired to go before the 
conference to censure the pastor. The Bishop said to 
him, 'No, you won't, you have no business there, you 
just keep out. I will tell you what is the matter with 

some of you fellows over there at , you are trying 

to see who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. I know 
you, and that is what is the matter.' " 

He always cultivated a forgiving spirit, and sought to 
lead others to its practice. "At one of his conferences, 
when the question of reentering on the roll the name of 
a brother — then on his death-bed — which had been 
erased some years before, because of some irregularity in 
conduct, was being considered, a member objected be- 
cause the old brother 'had not lived right.' One present 
says that Bishop Kephart slowly arose, and while a 
deathlike stillness was noticeable to all, said, in his char- 
acteristic way, 'Brethren, you expect the Lord to forgive 
everything, but you won't forgive a single thing.' " 

His religious character cannot be understood, how- 
ever, without some knowledge of his religious habits. In 
the first place, he was a careful student of the Bible. To 
him it was indeed the "Book of books." He had com- 
mitted long sections to memory. He read it daily — 
studied it by subjects and by books, neglecting no part 
of it. When weary with toil he rested on the Word. If 
perplexed or troubled, he came to it for counsel or sol- 
ace. When dissatisfied with his spiritual condition, he 
came to the Bible, drank deeply from its pure fountain, 
and satisfied his hunger from its living bread. If he 



344 



A Character Sketch 



thought he had fallen short of his high calling he came 
to his Father in his revealed Word, to learn how to 
avoid a repetition of the wrong. The last year of his 
life the old Bible seemed to grow dearer to him, as he 
spent much time perusing its sacred pages. His journals 
of his missionary visits contain many references to 
Bible reading, naming specific portions read, and his 
impressions of them : "Read my Bible, and as a result, 
feel strong in the Lord," is a characteristic entry. 
"Spent the day resting and reading my Bible." "I read 
my Bible, and was much impressed with EzekiePs 
statement of the restoration of Israel in the latter days, 
and the destruction of Gog and Magog." "Read two 
chapters in the book of Habakkuk. It is a wonderful 
prophecy." "I have read the wonderful prophecy of 
Moses in Deuteronomy, and his marvelous death. What 
a most wonderful piece of literature ! and it has been lit- 
erally fulfilled in the history of the Jew for the past 
3,000 years. I am overwhelmed with it and fear before 
the Lord." "I have spent some time to-day in reading 
God's Word — especially the last chapters of Revelation 
by St. John, and am strangely impressed with its truth. 
Oh, that I may be more deeply impressed with the real- 
ity of the coming of the Son of God, and the complete 
triumph of his kingdom on earth ! How much more 
efficient I could be and would be in his service." "Thou 
knowest, Lord, that I believe, yet, Lord, help me, that I 
may believe yet more and more. And quicken thou me 
with a new life for the work that remains for me to do." 

The following apostrophe to the Bible, written more 
than thirty years ago, sets forth the place of the old 
Book in his thought and life : 



345 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

Blessed Bible, I meekly and most reverently bow before 
the grand majesty of thy sacred truths. In thee I have 
learned to know the wickedness of my own heart. In thee 
heaven's high majesty is unveiled, and hell's unutterable 
woes are heard. In thee God is, and every line is a tran- 
script of the divine mind. In studying thy pages, heaven 
in all its purity, glory, and grandeur bursts upon my vision. 
To my soul thou hast opened the fountain of life, and will, 
at the proper time, throw wide the gates of glory for me, 
inviting me to enter. 

Blessed Book, in thee is more than the wisdom of all ages! 
Glorious old Record, thou art the foundation and the culmi- 
nation of all true science, the "alpha and the omega" of all 
sound philosophy. Man has tried to blacken thy fame and 
tarnish thy character, but thy gold becomes more resplend- 
ent through his wickedness, and when Parian and 
Pentelican shall have crumbled, and the shrine-capped 
mountains sink beneath the wave of time's lost destiny like 
the merchant ship from a far-off country, thou wilt bring 
thy redeemed to the portals of the skies. 

E. B. Kephabt. 

Western College, Iowa, Nov. 7-8, 1874. 

The last quotation shows how his Bible habit found 
one natural fruitage in his prayer-life. His journals 
contain very many of these recorded prayers, medita- 
tions, and consecrations. In his Bibles are found a few 
prayers written. None of these were ever written for 
publication, and only enough will be given here to con- 
vey to the reader an adequate impression of the source 
of whatever spiritual power was manifested in the char- 
acter here portrayed. Those who have followed the 
journal may already have been impressed with his 
prayer-habit. On the last day of 1890 he wrote: "God 
forgive me for the follies, neglect, and sin of the year 
now going — gone forever." At another time: "My 
prayer is that God may give me a clean heart, free from 

346 



A Character Sketch 



every evil thought. I am so thankful that he has kept 
me pure while in Africa, as well as in America." "My 
prayer is, Oh, that I may know more of thee and of thy 
ways, and be yet more transformed into the image of 
thy Son. This has always been a supreme desire with 
me, yet I have not been able, always, to live up to my 
desire. Our ship does not make the rate of speed she 
should. Too many barnacles on her hull. She is too 
much like myself. May the Lord remove them from me, 
that I may sail faster." Many similar prayers are found 
in his journals. 

Frequently in his private devotions he would write 
out a prayer when strongly impressed. All who have 
tried this plan know how the act of writing tends to fix 
the impression. The following is a prayer written at 
Odon, Indiana, June 18, 1905 : 

My dear Lord and Master, to thee I come to confess my 
sins and implore thy forgiveness. Thou knowest, Blessed 
Lord, that I love thee and want to do thy holy will, but 
thou also knowest that I am deeply conscious, that often, 
oh, so often, I fail to do this. And a like consciousness 
comes to me, "that in me (that is, in my flesh) there dwell- 
eth no good thing" Herein, through weakness, I fall into 
temptations and am lured into sin. Therefore I come to 
thus confess, and, believingly, ask forgiveness of thee, and 
pray for complete victory over self and sin. May more 
of thy indwelling and perfect reign of Christ obtain in me, 
to the elimination of all carnality from my soul, body, and 
spirit. 

To this end I not only confess my sins, but renew my old 
and too often broken covenant with thee. I therefore re- 
dedicate my soul, body, and spirit, to thee, the true God, 
Father, Son, and most blessed Holy Spirit, my time, tal- 
ents, wife and children, and all that I now have or may 
possess of this world's goods. This I do for time and for 



347 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

eternity. And now, Lord, that I may successfully do all 
this, and carry out each of these holy resolves, give me just 
now an enduement of thy Holy Spirit; for the past has 
taught me by sad experience, that my own resolves are as 
straw in the hands of Samson, and, therefore, "my faith 
looks up to thee." May this prayer be sealed in heaven. 

(Written at the home of Mr. Ward, one and one-half miles 
east of Odon, Ind., when none but God and angels are pres- 
ent — and perhaps Satan.) 

E. B. Kephart. 

The postscript to the following prayer, written twelve 
years later than the prayer proper, illustrates the practi- 
cal benefit of the writing habit : 

Most merciful and holy God: Feeling my own sinfulness 
and nothingness in and of myself, I come to thee, Holy 
Father, having been invited to come by thy blessed Son 
Jesus, that I may have my sinful nature changed and live 
a holy life, serving thee acceptably. 

Thou knowest, Lord, that experience has taught me that 
I cannot make myself holy. Oh, how often I have failed in 
my attempts at holy living, and how frequently I have 
fallen into sin. Weary and sick at heart of my many fail- 
ures, I now come to thee in the blessed name of my dear 
Savior, and on this evening, the 3d of May, 1871, between 
the hours of 9 and 10 p. m., I solemnly dedicate and offer 
myself to thee, Father, in the name of thy Son, with all 
that I possess, or may possess, in time or in eternity. 
Father, for Jesus' sake accept me just as I am, and make me 
what thou wilt have me be. Dear Lord, destroy the evil 
passions of my body, change the unsanctified desires of my 
soul, and help me, that I may sit at the feet of Jesus and 
learn the lessons of perfect confidence and obedience. O 
Father, may the Holy Ghost conduct me into the sacred 
places of the Most High, and may I ever be beneath the 
shadow of the Almighty. I make this consecration in the 
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 
O righteous God, keep me steadfast that I may never fall 
into sin. Blessed God, may I ever feel that I am not my 



348 



A Character Sketch 

own, but that I am thine, and may this covenant relation 
never be broken. E. B. Kephabt. 

Western, Linn Co., Iowa. 

On this, 17th day of May, I have reviewed the contents of 
this paper and my own heart, and I thank my Father in 
heaven that my purposes are unchanged, and the desire of 
my heart is, "Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee." 

E. B. Kephabt. 

Toledo, Iowa, May 17, 1883. 

The following prayer reveals the great longing of his 
heart in his official relation as bishop : 

Toledo, Iowa, February 1, 1887. 
Father Almighty, I, this day, in harmony with my pledge 
on last night, do consecrate myself anew to thee, to be used 
as thou wilt use me. Do, Lord Jesus, by thy Spirit, open 
my understanding, and endue me with power from on high, 
to the end that I may have a greater influence over men, 
under God, to bring them to Christ. Lord, thou knowest 
that I believe in thee, and that thou wilt give this power 
of bringing men unto thee to whom thou wilt; therefore, 
oh, give it unto me, that I may glorify thy name, thou Most 
High. 

In the love of truth, and to thee, Father Almighty, and 
to thy Son, Jesus, my Savior, do I dedicate myself, my 
wife and children, my house and lands, yea, all things be- 
longing to me, temporal and spiritual, now and forever. 
Amen. E. B. Kephabt. 

Xo characterization of Bishop Kephart would be com- 
plete that overlooks his domestic trait, his sense of hu- 
mor, and tolerance of other religious faiths. 

The reader will remember the leaf from his journal, 
written in Freetown, West Africa, when he saw the 
Mohammedan at prayer on the street, and his compari- 
son of the Catholic religion with the heathen. While 
he loved his own Church so intensely, he never was 



349 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

blind to the good in other Protestant churches. Many 
have heard him speak with enthusiasm of our debt to the 
Jewish faith. He always respected any one who hon- 
estly and intelligently held an opinion, however much 
it might differ from his own view. However, the indi- 
vidual of a different shade of belief, who desired to 
make the Bishop think as he thought, would face a 
difficult proposition, for it would require "inexorable 
logic." To his own faith he held with all his soul, for 
he had tested it. 

Without his vein of innocent humor, he never could 
have succeeded as he did in life. This gave him relaxa- 
tion from the strain of work, and furnished access to 
many a heart, and revealed the vulnerable point in many 
a proposition. This gave spice to his lectures, and oft- 
times to his sermons. He usually had a story to illus- 
trate a difficult proposition, which made its solution 
easy. His long and varied experience gave him a rich 
store of reminiscences from which to draw. His humor, 
while ofttimes corrective, was always kindly. If by 
chance the probe went too deep, and caused unintended 
pain, he hastened to heal the wound. 

His playful humor is well illustrated by the following 
narrative. Dr. Wm. 0. Krohn, of Chicago, thus writes 
of him: 

"He was the wisest and most wholesome friend I 
ever had, and the value of his friendship was especially 
enhanced by coming more particularly during my career 
as an impetuous college boy at Toledo. I owe him much. 
Every word of praise that I have heard of him sounds 
so commonplace to me, who knew him heart to heart — 



350 



A Character Sketch 



and there is nothing commonplace about E. B. Kephart. 
Men of his measure and sterling worth are so rare. How 
wholesome his quaint humor ! This was, to my mind, 
the chief key to the fondness college boys had for him. 
How he once laughed at me, and so heartily ! I had 
never seen a dog-fish. One spring day four of us boys 
took him with us on our Saturday fishing down by the 
Indian Eeservation. I caught a large dog-fish — thought 
I had a whale. He said, with a twinkle in his eye, 'That 
is the finest specimen of swamp trout I ever saw/ With 
sober face he induced me to lug the blooming thing to 
Toledo — I carrying my fish so that every one could see 
it, hoping to arouse envy and praise of all who saw me. 
How proudly I walked down College Avenue, he strid- 
ing along behind, ready to burst with laughter. Finally, 
when I was showing it to a crowd of about fifty people 
in front of President Beardshear's house, I found that 
I had toted an uneatable dog-fish four miles." 

Says Bishop Mathews : "His character was enlivened 
with that rich humor and satire which always made a 
leader charming and attractive. Who does not recall 
the spontaneous convulsions into which he would throw 
the conference over which he presided, by his sharp 
repartee and genuine wit? And, if by chance he went 
too far in the use of that dangerous weapon, he knew 
how to heal the wound with words of grace." 

His love of wife and children was not a commonplace 
affection. His companion still treasures packages of 
epistles covering forty-six years, and every one is truly 
a love letter. His eldest son was to him a joy. How 
fondly he watched the bud of babyhood unfold into the 



351 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

flower of adolescence, promising the fruitage of vigor- 
ous manhood. But heaven prized the rich fragrance, 
and took him. The loved form was laid to rest beneath 
the sod in Iowa. The father-heart, in chastened sor- 
row, bowed in loving submission. Previously his second 
born, another son, which heaven had loaned them half a 
year, was taken above. Heaven was near to the fond 
parents ever afterward. Two daughters later came to 
grace this home, upon whom the wealth of his great 
heart's affection was lavished. Both father and mother 
were always the companions of their daughters. Their 
home was the delight of young people. They were al- 
ways sure of a good time at the Bishop's, as he would 
enter into their sports as one of them. 

When the first grandchildren came, it seemed to him 
as though his own two little boys had returned to him. 
How he loved them, fondled them, and consecrated 
them to God ! But his parental love was inexhaust- 
able. Another grandson came, and then two little 
granddaughters. How the little ones waited for his 
home-coming, searched his suit-case for sweetmeats, 
clung to him in his walks, and listened to the new 
stories he had gathered! 

His love for children and the benefits of his domestic 
temperament were not limited to his own home. Very 
many testimonials speak of the joy derived in entertain- 
ing him. Rev. H. J. Fisher writes : "Several times 
during our services in Cincinnati we had the privi- 
lege of entertaining him in our home, which we en- 
joyed greatly, and by which we were made better and 
blessed." Mr. C. B. Eettew writes: "He was our 



352 



A Character Sketch 



friend — a friend that for two decades never failed us, 
and God only knows how much of good and of blessing 
he has been to us and to our home. His visits always 
left us better/' Eev. C. E. Fuitz says: "The Bishop 
was our best home friend."' Says Bishop Carter: "It 
was a great pleasure to myself and family to have him 
for days at a time in our home. His talks at the table, 
his peculiar interest in a good story, his large experi- 
ence in travel, and Ms desire to make children happy, 
always invested his visits in my family with unusual 
pleasure. He was a cherished friend of our sweet little 
' daughter, Ezeta, who went to heaven a year in advance 
of him, and I love to think of him as leading her by the 
hand in that city of gold, as he so often led her about 
our home." 

Eev. H. P. Shupe, editor of the Watchword, writes : 

A HE AST THAT KEPT YOUNG. 

The last time I saw Bishop Kephart was on a beautiful 
October day, as he strolled about the Lebanon Valley Col- 
lege campus with a little granddaughter, the two enjoying 
and understanding each other. In his comprehension of 
childhood and youth he was great. And he never forgot a 
child. He was the pastor of our home church in Westmore- 
land County, Pennsylvania, when I was a little boy. It was 
fifteen years later when we met in Nebraska, and his re- 
membrance of the children in the homes of the community 
revealed one of the strong elements of his nature. This 
ability to keep in mind the names and faces of people would 
have made of him a great political leader, had he been 
called to that field of service. 

The last time he was in our home, as he left the table he 
took between his hands the face of the little boy of the 
home, seated in his high chair, and stooping over he kissed 
the child's forehead and left this benediction, "God bless 
the little man!" 



28 



353 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

Bishop Kephart will long be remembered as a logical 
and profound preacher, and a broad-minded, conscientious, 

ecclesiastical leader, as an able and influential educator, 
and perhaps his greatest influence was exerted through his 
comprehension of, and affinity for childhood and youth. 
"The great man is he who does not lose his child's heart." 

His writings are clear, vigorous, and concise. His 
letters of reminiscence seem to indicate that he had a 
literary gift for a class of writing of which he himself 
was unaware. He wrote much for the publications of 
his own Church. In 1897 he published his "Apologetics, 
or a Treatise on Christian Evidences," in which he gives 
one of the best brief summaries of the arguments in de- 
fense of the authenticity of the Christian religion. Many 
complimentary comments on this work were made by the 
religious press. Dr. Dunning, editor of the Congrega- 
tionalism writes him : "You have done a lasting service 
through this clear, brief, readable volume; I have been 
especially interested in the chapter on inspiration, in 
your summing up of the various theories, and in your 
reasonable conclusions. Thank you for doing so much 
to establish faith in the fact of divine communication 
with men through the revelation and work of God in 
history, and in his presence and guidance of human af- 
fairs now." 

In 1902 he issued "A Brief Treatise on the Atone- 
ment." He also published a "Manual of Church Dis- 
cipline," which he subsequently revised. 

He was preeminently a preacher of the word of life. 
This was the great work to which he gave his life. All 
else was subordinate. As a public speaker he possessed 
a peculiar, magnetic power, which usually required a 



354 



A Character Sketch 



few minutes at the beginning of his discourse to estab- 
lish its connection firmly with his hearers. It was not 
unusual to see some of the members of the congregation 
asleep within the first ten minutes after he began speak- 
ing, while all would be wide-awake and intent with in- 
terest during the remaining forty or fifty minutes. It 
is much more common for preachers to hold their con- 
gregation's attention at the beginning, and lose it later 
in the discourse. This may be from lack of reserve 
power. 

As a preacher, he always spoke as though he believed 
what he preached, and hence his sermons were convinc- 
ing. Bishop Mathews has given such an excellent 
characterization of Bishop Kephart as a preacher, that 
it fittingly finds a place here. He writes: 

His culture made him modest, humble, simple in his ex- 
pression. In his college days he was imaginative, meta- 
physical, ornate, and eloquent. While these elements en- 
hanced his power as a preacher and lecturer in after days, 
yet the growth of years' experience and maturity made 
great his simplicity. While his thought was massive, and 
elevated, his language was so clear and simple that a child 
could understand and appreciate him. How he delighted to 
delve into theological lore, to make archeological explora- 
tions, and study the ancient tablets, as a testimony to the 
authenticity of the old Book, which he proclaimed with 
power, and upon whose promises he pillowed his head in 
the dying hour. 

Bishop Kephart had the bearing of a United States Sen- 
ator. His massive physique, his intellectual acumen, his 
dignified presence, his knowledge of Church law, and par- 
liamentary tactics were marked in him. He was of the 
Websterian type of character. He must be deeply aroused 
in order to give forth the richest and best within his rich 
mental and spiritual treasury. Like all persons of such 



355 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

physical and mental composition, lie was under the law of 
extremes; sometimes he would rise, and at other times de- 
scend. But when on some great occasion his whole being 
would be stirred to its depths in impassioned discourse, 
every fiber of his being pulsating with emotion and earn- 
estness under the grip of a mighty conviction, he would 
move along a lofty plain like a cyclone of power, sweeping 
everything before him. With his brain on fire with a great 
thought, and his heart melted with divine love for the 
truth, and his eyes penetrating with wisdom, I have seen 
immense audiences immersed in tears, and at his full con- 
trol. Of course those occasions were rare, but they stand 
memorable in his ministerial and educational career. 

But Bishop Kephart has left us, and gone home! He has 
left a monument more enduring than bronze or granite. 
Upon it are inscribed the sweetest of all words, "He was 
faithful." He was faithful to the end in all relations, and 
has entered upon his final and full reward. 

Bishop Carter thus speaks of him as a preacher : 

As a preacher, he was profound and highly instructive. 
On great occasions, and when stirred by a favorite theme, 
he often rose to the sublime heights of pulpit power. I 
have seen him when the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, 
when the angel touched his lips with a coal from the altar 
— and at these times he was almost transfigured, his face 
shining with strange radiance, and his eyes beaming with 
celestial fire. It is a sad reflection that his manly form will 
never again be seen in our pulpits, that his splendid voice 
is hushed forever, and his stalwart presence will no more 
be felt in the councils of the Church. 



356 



MEDITATIONS. 

In a firm conviction that God is infinitely wise, good, and omnip- 
otent, I hope for immortality. I find myself in a state where 
change is ever and everywhere. Everything is in a flux ; life here, 
death there ; production, decay, and reproduction run their ceaseless 
round, but in all this bewilderment I see no trace of annihilation ; 
but life springs out of death, beauty out of decay. 

When I look within, I find that my chief concern is for the future, 
and I cannot think of a moment in the unmeasured sweep of eter- 
nity yet to come in which I find myself not interested. My desires 
are not limited to this earth-life ; my plans and my purposes are not 
completed. Surely this uniform disposition of mind is not a mere 
vagary. Can it be that the deepest intuitions of the soul deceive 
me? Is it a dream never to be realized? No; this conscious self, 
in which these prophetic intuitions inhere, must continue to be, to 
feel, to know, to act forever. I cannot think that God, who im- 
planted these intuitions, will deceive me ; he cannot if he be true 
to his creature, man. 

There 's a river that rolls on before me, 
The "bright" rolling river of death. 

Its ford in the distance I 'm nearing, 
The ford, aye ! the boatman, I see 

Standing on the brink of that river, 
This side the deep, blue, swelling sea. 

But just at the brink of the river, 

Close down on its opposite shore, 
Stand many in glory, just waiting, 

To welcome me home, ever more ; 
In that land where they say never more, 

"I am sick," but, "My sorrows are o'er." 

Bishop E. B. Kephart» 

Annville, Pa., January 28, 1904. 



357 



CHAPTER XXI. 



AS THINKER, WRITER, AND PREACHER. 

The reader will be glad for a brief imaginary excur- 
sion into Bishop Kephart's workshop, before taking 
leave of our subject. His habits of Bible-study and 
prayer have been presented in another chapter. His 
habits of thought and production demand our attention 
here. 

Many men of great natural ability fail to become emi- 
nent, and to bless the world, because they do not write 
down and carefully preserve the thoughts which come 
to them, ofttimes as revelations from God. Probably 
this is the only way to cultivate the habit of accurate, 
careful thinking. "Reading maketh the full man, con- 
versation the ready man, and writing the correct man." 
These three exercises, duly timed, prepare the man for 
wise conduct in station and duty. 

Bishop Kephart thought much when alone. The 
content of his public writings were thus wrought out, in 
a large measure, both as to matter and form, and though 
used many times subsequently, always retained the im- 
press' of the hour when they came in noon-day clearness 
to his own mind and heart. He kept a book, in which he 
recorded many stray thoughts. Others are found on 
slips of paper written when on the train in some distant 
land. Some of these, illustrating this habit and its vir- 



358 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 

tue, are given here under the heading of "Stray 
Thoughts" : 

1. If I have the Spirit and the mind of Christ, all that 
he delights and approves I will also. His Word tells me 
that he loves and approves. Do I the same? 

2. The best human book numbers but a few millions. 
The Bible numbers between three and four hundred million 
volumes. 

3. God displayed his goodness and unselfishness in giv- 
ing to creatures existence and free agency, whom, he fore- 
knew, would violate his law and some of them perish. 

4. By regeneration the germ of the Christ-life is im- 
planted in the soul of the believer, and Christian perfection 
consists in this germ developed into the Christ-life. 

5. God will judge me by what I am, not by my faith or 
doctrine, nor by the faith or doctrine of my creed, for 
my faith and doctrine will be what I then am. 

6. For eighteen weeks my labors have been almost un- 
ceasing — my absence from home almost continuous; but I 
speak of all this, not as a sacrifice, but discharge of duty. 
For, to do and to suffer for Christ's sake is no sacrifice. To 
save the perishing and to befriend even an enemy brings 
with it a thrill of heavenly joy unuttered by human tongue. 

7. We have been created, or, if any one likes the phrase 
better, evolved; not, however, out of nothing, nor out of 
confusion, nor out of lies, but out of nature, by Him, the 
Infinite, who sits enthroned back of nature, who is the 
source of all order, and the very ground of all truth — "the 
fountain in which all fullness dwells." 

8. It is out of harmony with the divine goodness for God 
to create a being free to stand or free to fall, whom he 
foreknew at the time of creating him would fall, and by his 
own voluntary acts render himself unhappy forever. Would 
it not be in kind, perhaps not in degree, out of harmony 
with said divine goodness to create a being at the time of 
creating him that he would be free to stand or free to 
fall? 

9. How is it that two beings of like moral nature and 
equally good, and subjected to like influences for good and 
for evil, will develop opposite characters, the one a saint, 



359 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

the other a devil f To this, reason has given no satisfactory 
answer, except in free agency. 

10. Death is an unexplored ocean, dark, cold, and calm, 
hut the northern sky is brightening under the light of the 
Aurora Borealis of Bethlehem. 

11. If God, in this life, bestows his temporal blessings 
alike upon the disobedient in their free agency, whom he 
knows are, and will continue forever in the ruin of sin, as 
he does upon the obedient in their free agency, to induce 
them to a life of purity and obedience, that he may thus 
save them from the ruin of sin, and that he does is mani- 
fest to all (and it is regarded as a proof of the divine good- 
ness), would not the same principle of divine goodness lead 
him to create those beings whom he foreknew would turn 
away in their free agency from their creator, and be lost in 
the ruin of sin forever? 

12. In this age of advanced thought, no truly en- 
lightened Christian can recognize that organization as the 
church of his Lord, or any part of it, which closes its doors 
upon or against any persons it believes to be the children 
of God. The church that rejects or ejects the children of 
God, does the same thing to God himself in the person of 
his children. This is the curse of Protestantism. 

13. Three kingdoms exist; namely, the inorganic, the or- 
ganic, and the spiritual, or the kingdom of heaven. The in- 
organic is the lowest, the spiritual the highest. Life came 
into the inorganic from the spiritual, and built up the or- 
ganic, or intermediate kingdom. 

14. If I differ with a brother in opinion, and we have 
words, and then I afterwards hold him at a distance, or 
pout and be surly towards him on account of the same, I 
am no true Christian, but a heathen. 

15. Some plants bloom in the spring, others in the fall; 
they may be alike beautiful, and thus fulfill their destiny. 
God is the maker of both. So with men and nations; some 
in early life bloom in virtue and fruitage all through their 
life. Others in the decline of life produce a flower, and 
disappear in the grave. 

16. In human destiny, from one point of view, the fu- 
ture is as fixed as the post. At the close of a man's life 
his earthly acts are finished, "What he has written he has 



360 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 

written." But was it not equally true at the time of his 
birth that he would do as he has done? True, his record is 
the result of his free agency, but his free agency at the 
time of his birth was no more true than was the record he 
would write under that free agency, and the record is one 
of the evidences of his freedom. We are not to conclude 
that the record could not have been other than it is, and 
that, therefore, all things are bound up in a blind fatality. 
No, no! but under his freedom he wrote this record, in- 
stead of another one, which he might have willed and writ- 
ten instead of this, which would have been equally his 
fixed record. 

17. Surely the misery, the suffering which follows vice 
and crime, are intended to admonish the victim to do so no 
more. But I see another effect, besides suffering, that fol- 
lows vice and crime; namely, the habit to continue in the 
practice of vice forever. This to me is more alarming than 
all that is usually called punishment for vice. 

18. Hid away in the silent chambers of my soul I 
hold a conception of truth, a germ of virtue, an ideal of 
purity, after which I have always striven, but to which I 
have never attained; fain would I lay down my life — yes, 
sacrifice my all — to rise to a complete enthronement of that 
conception and enjoy its heaven-born peace. 

19. Ye angels now adore 

The Christ, the blessed King; 
The conflict now is o'er, 

Grim death has lost her sting. 

Proclaim it, all ye stars, 

Rise up, ye winged winds, 
Shout the glad news afar, 

He's conquered death and sin. 

Dr. H. C. Shaffer has culled the following selections 
from his writings : 

The Bible— The Bible itself, as the word of God, is the 
most forceful agency in fostering popular faith in its divine 
claims. 

Reason. — The reason why men are not brought into re- 
ligion by the force of pure reason, is that the religious in- 



361 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

stinct in the human soul is ultra-rational, and depends upon 
a pure faith in the supernatural. 

Immortality. — When I look within, I find that my chief 
concern is for the future, that I belong to the only race of 
animals whose desires multiply as they are fed. I cannot 
think of a moment in the unmeasured sweep of eternity to 
come, in which I find myself not interested. My desires are 
not limited to the earth-life; my plans and purposes are 
not completed. These reflections daze me. Emotions come 
that are unutterable. All I can say is, "O God! O God, my 
Father!" 

The Heart. — All religions which govern mankind speak to 
"the heart," and not to the intellect, for it is a fact that 
religion makes its way among men, not by argument, "but 
by an appeal to those fundamental spiritual instincts of 
men to which it supremely corresponds." 

Missions. — The Philippines and Cuba will soon come 
under the Stars and Stripes. The duty of the hour is for 
the missionary to be in and to occupy the new field as soon 
as the change comes. As a religious body, we have our 
duty to discharge in these new conditions that are upon 
our country. For heaven's sake, let us not be the last to 
enter this "open door." — July, 1898. 

Sin. — Nothing in man's history is better established than 
the fact that at some remote period in the past he was 
smitten by a moral contagion, and, as a result, a degen- 
eracy set in that has swept over the entire family of man- 
kind. His present condition in all lands tells the sad story 
only too well, how effectually that contagion has done its 
ruinous work. 

Salvation. — The fundamental truths of salvation are fixed 
factors. God's way into the kingdom is through the work- 
ing or regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit. 
This will never change, and will be operative to the last son 
of Adam's race. 

GocVs Answer. — Take out of his discourses all that mod- 
ern criticism rejects as spurious, make a due allowance for 
the tinge of their own thought given to his utterances by 
his disciples, yet the Sermon on the Mount, which contains 
the embodiment of all he said and did, remains. In the 
presence of it both critic and skeptic are alike struck mute 



362 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 

by a consciousness that these utterances could not have 
been invented by the recorders of his eventful life, nor had 
they ever leaped from the lips of man, but were truths re- 
vealed from heaven by him who came down from heaven. 
Also, the legend, as the skeptic calls it, of his miraculous 
birth may be put aside, the claims of the evangelists ig- 
nored, and all that creeds profess and ecclesiastical coun- 
cils have determined respecting him may be laughed at, yet 
there remains the Christ, the completion of our humanity, 
God's answer to the soul's ultimate questions respecting 
human destiny. 

The same thoroughness in thought, and care in state- 
ment, is found in his public writings, which, in large 
measure, are the fuller elaboration of his meditative seed 
thoughts. Many articles thus prepared were published 
in Church periodicals. These were always instructive, 
and widely read. When wrought upon by a great 
thought which stirred his heart, his expression would 
attain great vigor. In the main, his writings were char- 
acterized by balance of judgment, clearness and diction, 
occasionally rising to great beauty of expression when 
conveying the finer emotions. 

These writings embrace the greatest variety of sub- 
jects, but always manifest the ethical and Christian im- 
pulse. His themes were for the most part practical, de- 
signed to help the Church apply the teachings of Christ 
in the every-day work of the Church, and in Christian 
living. He is especially interested in everything per- 
taining to the Christian life, and wrote frequently on 
such themes as "Holiness," "The Higher Life," and 
"Sanctification." But he also loved theory, and many 
instructive articles came from his pen, such as "Value 



363 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

of the Classic Languages," "Aerolites," "The Eosetta 
Stone." All who knew him will remember his marked 
interest in and reverence for the remote past. Of that 
golden age he loved to speak and write. His mental and 
spiritual balance, however, is demonstrated in that he 
never fell so in love with the past as to despair of the 
present and the future. The glories to be in the reign 
of Christ in his kingdom in the hearts of the children 
of man, when compared with that past, was always as 
the zenith sun to the paling moon. 

The following article on "Holiness," written to cor- 
rect erroneous doctrine on this important subject, is in- 
serted as illustrating his style, and his helpfulness to 
clear thinking and right living: 

The Christ life grows the perfect Christian, and the 
Christ life lived is an example of Christian perfection. Few 
doctrines, if any, connected with the religion of Christ 
have caused more controversy among believers than that 
of Christian perfection. 

As a rule, all Christians believe in sanctification, and 
that it is an advanced state in the Christian life; but they 
differ in opinion as to when and how the child of God at- 
tains to that perfect state in grace, and also as to its man- 
ifestations. All believers regard this state as subsequent to 
regeneration; but at this point they begin to diverge and 
break into factions. As a result, every conceivable form of 
fanaticism and foolish vagary has been indulged, from the 
self-righteous Pharisee on the one hand, to the modern 
"come-outers" on the other. 

While regeneration by the Holy Spirit is the renewal of 
the heart of man after the image of God, and enables him 
to serve God with the will and affections, sanctification is 
the work of divine grace, through the Word, by the Holy 
Spirit, which separates the regenerate soul from sin in 
thought, word, and act, and enables it to live the Christ 
life, the life of holiness. Hence sanctification begins 
where regeneration ends. 

3 64 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 

Many believers who are thus born into the kingdom at 
once advance in the spiritual life of holiness, and live and 
dwell in that heavenly atmosphere, while others live and 
linger in the state of grace where they first found their 
Lord in the pardon of their sin, destitute of growth in 
grace, and ignorant of that blessed state of enjoyment 
known only by the sanctified. Those who linger in "child- 
hood," as Paul would say, are yet children when they 
should be "men," having failed to make that surrender of 
self which must obtain before growth and development can 
begin, often do, through the study of the Word and prayer, 
become conscious of their low, lingering state of grace, and 
make that self-surrender which, through the Word and the 
Spirit, brings them into a perfect, holy communion with 
God. Therefore, growth in grace is the key and gateway, 
by the aid of the Spirit, to the "higher life." 

The experience of believers is not uniform as to when 
and how this blessed state is obtained. Some seem to at- 
tain it at a single bound; others by the slow, plodding pro- 
cess, through the "wilderness of wanderings"; but each for 
himself, when he attains to it, has verified the Word, "As 
thy faith is, so be it unto thee." 

It is also the experience and testimony of believers, as 
well as the express teachings of the Word of God, both di- 
rect and indirect, that the state of lingering about the 
threshold of the kingdom of God, without growth and de- 
velopment into manhood, which so often obtains among 
those who are "born again," is a religious state beset with 
many temptations, allurements, pitfalls, and dangers, which 
are not incident to those who have advanced and attained 
to the "higher life"; for, "There is a path which no fowl 
knoweth, and the vulture's eye hath not seen." It is God's 
"highway" of holiness, and only those who live the Christ 
life know and enjoy its quiet rest. The truth is, it is the 
development and growth, through the Word and the Spirit, 
to which the believer attains, that brings him in such close 
touch with God, that renders him invulnerable to the as- 
saults of Satan, and "dead" to the allurements of the world. 
The "child" is liable to slip and fall, but ever ready to pick 
himself up. The "man" may slip and fall, but he gets up 
less quickly than the "child" — aye, the "man" is not likely 
to fall. • 

365 



Life of Eaekiel Boring Kephart 

But the manifestations or evidence that that state is at- 
tained — negatively: The simple raising of the hand or a 
throwing of tne head to one side, together with a flippant 
"Glory to God," is no guaranty to a state of holiness. These 
and many other like demonstrations sometimes obtain 
among professors whose "heart is not right with God," 
judging from their lives. 

Positively: A personal consciousness of being in posses- 
sion of that "white stone, and in the stone a new name 
written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth 
it," by the believer, is his personal guaranty or assurance. 

Again, the life he lives is the world's evidence that "his 
life is hid with Christ in God." No amount of profession 
can take the place of the life which must be lived, to be ac- 
cepted, either by the believer himself or the world, as evi- 
dence that he is "in the faith." The Word of God goes on 
the assumption that each believer knows the kind of a life 
he is living, and also knows whether that life is 
in accord with the Word of God. The life lived must be 
free from all guile, deceit, hypocrisy, trickery, scheming, 
and double-dealing; in a word, it must be a life lived "in all 
things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, 
do ye even so unto them." 

Oh, the blessedness of that state that thus leads up into 
the hidden mysteries of God's love and mystery, which is 
the privilege and right of the soul that "dwells in the secret 
place of the Most High." 

However, the preacher was always prominent in him. 
Everything else was subordinate. This was true when 
he was college president, or State senator, as well as 
when he was pastor or bishop. Eeference has already 
been made to him as a preacher. Following is his ideal 
of "The Preacher and His Work" : 

Time, with its many changes, may come and go, but no 
change in the end to be accomplished by the preacher — 
namely, the saving of men — ever comes; but change of 
method in his work comes with the peculiar wants and 
conditions of the generations in the different ages in which 



366 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 

they live. Also, certain qualifications in the preacher are 
essential in every age to fit him for the work to which he 
is called. These are: 

1. True Christian piety. 

2. Intelligence. 

As to the first. A low standard will never meet the de- 
mand of any age or condition of society. As to the second. 
It may vary with the intelligence of the age, and the intel- 
ligence of the people whom the preacher serves; but the 
standard should always be broad, and above the general in- 
telligence of the masses. 

The marvelous change in the general diffusion of knowl- 
edge and the education of the masses which has taken place 
in the last century make the work of the preacher quite 
different from what it formerly was; that is, the how of the 
work is different, and the qualification must be different. 

Speaking in general, not many centuries ago the preacher 
in many communities was about the only man that could 
read and write. At that time there were none of the now 
called learned professions except theology, law, and medi- 
cine. In so far as the natural sciences were concerned, they 
did not then exist, or at least were not formulated. 

The utilization of electricity belongs to the past few 
years. The press, as it is called, is very modern. But to- 
day the world is marching well-nigh to its intellectual 
zenith. All men, not the few, are thinking for themselves. 
The world has grown suspicious of high-sounding titles, 
and everything must be tested by the truth, and go for 
what it is. What old councils have decided, and the creeds 
they have formed, have little influence except as matters of 
history and matters of opinion with the earnest truth- 
seeker. If these decrees of councils stand the test of mod- 
ern scientific investigation they are accepted; if not, they 
are set aside. Hence the preacher is forced into the field 
of investigation in order that out of his treasury he may 
bring to his people "things both new and old." But the 
preacher must not be too ready to proclaim as gospel truth 
all that science, falsely so-called, may assert, just as he 
must not be too ready to accept all that theology in the 
past, as well as in the present, has declared. He must be a 
gleaner of truth, to separate the gold from the sand, and 



367 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kepbart 

serve the same purpose in the kingdom of God which the 
bee serves in the kingdom of nature. Its business is 10 
gather the honey — his to gather the truth of the Word. 
Who can measure the qualifications needed for the minis- 
ter's work? 

Again, the preacher must be free from rant, cant, and 
fanaticism. These qualities in a preacher are someiimes 
mistaken for earnestness or zeal, but they should studiously 
be avoided. True, the masses are sometimes carried and 
captivated by those elements in a preacher, and on that 
account laud him to the skies. But such men's work is like 
the morning cloud and early dew, not abiding, and never 
secure him a permanent position and make him a savior of 
men and a builder of churches. The elements referred to 
are largely developed in not a few of our modern evange- 
lists. The truth is, the authority and usefulness of the 
preacher in our day is now derived from the purity and 
strength of his character, from the vigor of his intelligence 
and the depth of his learning, and from the power of his 
speech. Candor, knowledge, wisdom, piety, and love can 
alone give him power with God and authority with men. 
Possessed with these qualities and qualifications, and en- 
dued with "power from on high," he is eminently fitted for 
his work. 

1. His first work is to preach "the word." To do this 
well, he must make special preparation for his pulpit ef- 
forts, and not depend on the inspiration of the hour to help 
him into a suitable sermon for the occasion. 

The first thing in the preparation of a sermon is a suit- 
able text. Let the text chosen be a plain one. Avoid 
strange, singular, and odd texts of scripture, such as, "Har- 
ness the horses," and like texts. A text having been 
selected, then proceed with the natural divisions of the 
subject, and let the unnatural alone. Think the subject 
through, and make your preparation as thorough as you 
can. The preacher should never make himself a slave to 
his manuscript. Let him write much, "for writing makes 
an exact man," but as a rule, not confine himself too much 
to what he has written when in the pulpit. 

2. On the delivery of a sermon much depends. Very 
often a good sermon is said to have been dry, when in truth 



368 



Ac Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 



it was not the sermon that was dry, but the delivery. A 
preacher need not be a "jumping-jack" in order to interest 
his hearers, but to interest them he must he natural in his 
style of delivery. Austerity may attract and amuse for a 
time, but ultimately it sickens into disgust. (1) He should 
speak in a natural tone of voice. Some preachers fall into 
a kind of ministerial ••whine," so that whatever they say, 
the whine is the most prominent feature. When they read 
a hymn, they preach; when they pray, they preach; when 
they make an announcement, they preach; and even when 
they ask a blessing at the table, they preach. From be- 
ginning to ending everything said by them is in an un- 
natural tone of voice. The most improved modern style of 
speaking is the conversational style. The preacher should 
deliver his message to his congregation as he would tell a 
story, in which he was much interested, to a friend. He 
should be terribly in earnest; and to be able to do this, he 
must be stirred through and through himself with interest 
in his subject and its delivery; for the speaker who is in- 
terested himself seldom fails to interest his hearers. (2) 
All his preliminary services should be marked with brev- 
ity. The long hymn, the long prayer, the long scripture 
lesson, should be scrupulously avoided. Also, the sermon 
should be brief, especially when the pastor preaches twice 
on Sabbath to the same congregation. It is, as a rule, bet- 
ter for the preacher to have his people say, "The sermon 
was too short this morning," than for them to say it was 
too long. He should avoid all lengthy exhortations at the 
close of the service, and not drop into the habit of having 
a long list of tedious announcements and exhorting over 
them simply for the sake of having something to say. He 
should avoid being tedious; in a word, let him sail clear of 
what to him is distasteful in other ministers, for what his 
good sense condemns in others his people will not tolerate 
in him. 

3, The preacher, in so far as possible, should attend all 
church meetings, such as the Sabbath school, the young 
people's meetings, the prayer and class meetings, and at 
least occasionally conduct them. The teacher's meetings 
are of much importance, and he should be there, also. In 
all these meetings, as well as the regular church service, 



24 



369 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

he should associate freely hut discreetly with his people. 
His associations should be of a high order, not on the low 
plane which is usually denominated "familiarity," which 
always breeds contempt. Let him "know no man after the 
flesh, and avoid the charge of having "pets" and being par- 
tial. Also, let him avoid all controversy with his members, 
keep clear of all disputes, take no sides, hear all com- 
plaints but say nothing; for he is the spiritual guide and 
adviser of all his people, not simply of those whom he likes 
best and who treat him best. 

4. He is not only the preacher of the congregation, 
but also the pastor of his flock. As pastor, the 
successful preacher always finds the most important 
work to be his pastoral work. (a) This con- 
sists, speaking in general terms, in visiting his mem- 
bers in their homes, talking with each of them on their 
personal religious life, and having prayer with them. These 
visits may and should be extended to persons who reside in 
the community included in his pastorate, who may not be 
members of any church. Pastoral visiting and social visit- 
ing should be kept distinct. The former should extend to 
every member within his pastorate without invitation; the 
latter may be more restricted and less formal. "Where men 
and women by an unworthy life have forfeited their social 
standing in society, they have no right to expect their pas- 
tor to put himself on their social basis, to the detriment of 
his ministerial reputation; but as their pastor, he must 
make no distinction among his members in his pastoral 
visiting. His pastoral visits should not be less frequent 
than once every six months, and these visits should be made 
at times when it is most convenient for his parishioners to 
receive him. A wise preacher will soon find this out. (&) 
The visiting of the sick should never be neglected by the 
pastor. A good regulation in a congregation is to keep the 
pastor informed when one of the members is sick, and also 
for the pastor to report to the congregation at the public 
services, the names of those in his pastorate who are sick, 
and request special prayers for their recovery. The prac- 
tice will always have a happy effect. 

5. Again, the successful preacher must be a man of 
sealed lips in so far as gossip is concerned. "He should be 



370 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 

swift to hear but slow to speak," and should never allow an 
unkind word about one of his members to pass his lips; 
the preacher who falls into such a practice is not a wise 
man, and disgraces his office. 

It only remains to present to the reader a partial list 
of his favorite texts, and a few outlines of sermons 
preached many times, and in many places. The book 
will then close with a sermon and two characteristic 
selections from his pen, "We Know in Part," and 
"Jesus Christ, God's Answer to the Soul's Ultimate 
Questions." 

A PARTIAL LIST OF HIS TEXTS. 
Matt. 25: 28, and Heb. 2: 3. John 8: 12. 
Job 22: 21. I. Chr. 29: 5. 

I. John 2: 3; 5: 12. Zee. 14: 7. 
Gen. 5: 18, and Heb. 11: 4. Acts 17: 31. 

II. Cor. 8: 9. Luke 8: 18, and Heb. 2: 3. 
Jer. 8: 20. Isa. 55: 6. 

I. Cor. 13: 9. Matt. 5: 11. 
Matt. 6: 28. I. John 3: 2. 

II. Cor. 4: 16-18. Matt. 7: 21. 
Luke 19: 3. Rev. 22: 11. 
John 14: 1, 2. Luke 19: 10. 
Matt. 7: 11. Matt 16: 18. 

Of these texts, Luke 8 : 18, coupled with Heb. 2 : 3, 
Job 22 : 21, II. Cor. 4: 16-18, and I. John 3 : 2, may be 
classed as favorite texts. Of the first of these favorites, 
he said he had never failed to make an impression on 
the unsaved. A few sermon outlines remain, some of 
which, however, are incomplete, but yet illustrated his 
method and habit of preparation. Allusion has already 
been made to his first sermon, preached in a schoolhouse 
about four miles south of Westerville, Ohio. Of this he 
wrote the following account for the Watchword: 

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Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

The text chosen was, "For the Son of man is come to seek 
and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19: 10.) From 
that day to the present I have carefully avoided attempting 
to preach from that text. I have learned a few things 
since that day. The notes prepared for the occasion have 
long since disappeared — for even then I did not believe 
God called a man to do a work without any preparation, 
so I had prepared as best I could. The following was my 
exposition of the text, in so far as I now remember: 

1. The Son of man, who was he? He was a Hebrew, the 
son of a Jewish peasant girl, the wife of one Joseph, who 
was also a Hebrew. His parents, as well as himself, were 
born in the mountains of Judaea during the Augustine age. 
It was here he spent his eventful life, and died a martyr 
to the principles he advocated, which were distasteful to 
his people. He was executed by Roman method, under or 
during the reign of Tiberius Csesar, while Pilate was gov- 
ernor of Judaea. 

He was dualistic in his nature — human and divine. His 
divine nature was manifest (1) in the miracles he per- 
formed. (2) The Scriptures declare him to be divine. (3) 
He claimed oneness with the Father — "I and my Father are 
one." 

The following outlines were prepared, some of them 
many years ago, without the remotest thought of their 
present use, and preserved more by chance than by in- 
tention. But these outline relics will serve to recall to 
thousands in the Church, the soul-stirring sermons and 
the convincing power of the spirit-filled preacher : 

SERMON SKETCH I. 
Baccalaureate Sermon. 
[Preached at Western College, Iowa, June 23, 1878.] 
Theme: The Word the Creator of the world; and his 
nature and character revealed by his works. — Text, "Never- 
theless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this 
seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his" (II. Tim. 2: 19). 
I. Nature's constancy. 

1. The constancy of nature is taught by universal ex- 
perience. 

372 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 

2. The regularity of nature is as marked as her con- 
stancy is, and on these, man predicates all his plans and 
action. The heavens above and the earth beneath declare 
it. The tides obey the footsteps of the moon. 

3. The steadfastness of nature has lead to atheism, and 
nature has been deified by her votaries. This is not, 
however, peculiar only to the philosopher, but obtains 
with man generally. He fails to recognize that nature's 
laws are God's laws, and that they are his servants. 

II. The true state of things. 

1. It is inherent in man to confide in the constancy of 
nature. Instinctively he believes that what has occurred 
will reoccur under like conditions or circumstances. In- 
deed it is God's telling him before hand that by him doing 
so and so this or that will come to pass as the case may be. 

2. To see how essential this principle in man is, let 
us conceive that it had been or is otherwise with man — 
that he has no confidence in the constancy of nature, or 
is otherwise moved that in his opinion the foundations of 
God are not sure, etc. Or suppose man had confidence in 
nature, but that nature was fickle or false, and her ele- 
ments were constantly changing, etc. It would subvert 
the very foundation of knowledge, and experience would 
avail nothing only to develop the fact that nature was 
false and prone to deceive. 

III. What this proves. 

1. The steadfastness and constancy of nature is proof 
that its Author is unchangeable, not only in the realm 
of the material, but also in his promises. Indeed, the 
Psalms set the one over against the other (Ps. 119: 
89, 90, 91). In all the realm of nature is it not surprising 
how God displays not only the fixedness of nature's founda- 
tion, but also his own faithfulness to the constitution of 
nature? True, he has not, by his Word, said to us that 
fire will burn, and matter will gravitate, and that they 
ever will, to the final consummation, but he has demon- 
strated to us that they do, and left us to infer that they 
always will. And his faithfulness here is a guarantee to 
us of his faithfulness to the promises given us in his Word. 

2. But, from the constancy of nature, may we not 
rightly infer the character of its author, and justly con- 



373 



life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

elude with the apostle, "He knoweth them which are his"? 
for this constancy is equivalent to a promise to all men, 
and all that we see around us, in earth and in heaven, 
demonstrates that faithful he is to the promise given. 

3. Now, therefore, from the fact that God by his con- 
stancy in nature is demonstrated to be most faithful to his 
promises, this, then, coupled with his written promises, 
ought to strengthen our confidence in him at every step 
we take in life. 

4. In the text we have the seal, "He knoweth them that 
are his," resting upon the "foundation of God which stand- 
eth sure." Now this promise of life eternal, viewed as from 
a God so faithful in all his works, should come home to 
the believer in a way to quicken and invigorate him in 
all his Christian duties. 

5. Nature has never deviated from her course but to 
introduce and demonstrate the truth of his word. When 
the Word was ushered in, nature's constancy gave way 
until the Word was established, and then it resumed its 
former constancy and will so continue until the final con- 
summation of all things. 

Whether or not my argument is understood by all, with 
me is a matter of doubt, but if I succeed in impressing 
any that he who is so true to nature will be equally true 
to the declarations of his Word, the end in view will be 
accomplished. Oh, to remember that we are in the hands 
of such a God should strike terror to our consciences, re- 
membering that we are guilty. 

6. The view which the mere worldling takes of 
this whole subject is quite different from that given in 
the text. The sacred writer views it as God's foundation 
or building, but the worldling thinks it to be of nature 
itself. Order and harmony, constancy and faithfulness lead 
each to different conclusions. 

IV. With this certainly upon our spirits, let us look 
at the successions which he has announced to man in the 
Word of his testimony. 

SERMON SKETCH II. 
Text: "Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: 
thereby good shall come unto thee" (Job 22: 21). 



374 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 

The Book of Job is an old book. The age to which it 
belongs is not certain. Its language is the classic Hebrew 
and the poem belongs to Hebrew literature. The text is 
from the lips of Elephaz, the friend and comforter of Job. 
He supposed Job was a hypocrite and his afflictions were 
the reward of his crimes; hence his exhortation, "Acquaint 
now thyself with him and be at peace," etc. 

To creatures such as we, an acquaintance with God is of 
first importance. Coming into the world as we do, in a 
condition of ignorance and knowing only that the grave 
is our lot, but believing, hoping in immortality and con- 
scious of our capacity for pleasure or pain, any information 
that will throw light on the dark problem of human destiny 
will be welcomed by all lovers of truth. We halt not here 
to discuss the existence of God, nor man's capacity to be- 
come acquainted with him, but hold that he formed the 
human mind and made it intelligent, can, if needs be, 
give higher degrees of intelligence or information to his 
creatures — even to an acquaintance with himself. 

Two sources of information are open to man, through 
which he may become acquainted with God. 

First. The book of nature. 

Second. The Book, a revelation of his will to man. 
First, then, the book of nature, which is God's first 
revelation. 

To become acquainted with an individual. What it 
requires and implies: (a) It requires more than to meet 
him by the wayside or grasp his hand, (b) I must know 
his thoughts, that is what is the general trend of his 
thoughts, if I would know him. Now, man is so constituted 
that in all of his creations in art and literature, he leaves 
the impress of his own individuality or thought on his 
works. This is true whether he constructs a wheelbarrow 
or builds a St. Peter's at Rome; whether he writes a "Rob- 
inson Crusoe," the "Iliad," or the five books of Moses; 
(the sculptor leaves his thought or design on his statue, 
not on the chips chiseled from the rough block). 

Just so with the Creator of all. His thoughts are ex- 
pressed in what he has created. 

1. In the earth beneath and in the heavens above. 



375 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

2. In the laws by which he governed the universe, 
whether physical, intellectual, or moral laws. 

(a) God is the author of all science, all art. That is, 
he is the author of those laws which constitute a science. 
Man is but the discoverer and utilizer of them. 

(b) But we borrow what his thought is in relation to 
his creatures by a closer examination of them in their 
application to us. The sin of carelessness, neglect, ignor- 
ance, etc. 

Second. The Bible as the word of God. Here the Deity 
is revealed in the highest sense. Here is where we may 
hear his words and commune with his thoughts. 

Accompanying these two revelations is the Holy Spirit 
which guides in the way of all truth. 

SERMON SKETCH III. 

Text: "I am the light of the world" (John S: 12). 

"In him was life; and the life was the light of men" 
(John 1:4). This first declaration is from the Great 
Teacher himself; and, I confess it, if he were only a man. 
it is the boldest egotism that ever fell from the lips of man. 
Is it a surprise that the world stood amazed at such dec- 
larations? 

I. Christ, the mystery of the ages; the unsolved prob- 
lem of the wisdom of this world. 

The legend, as the skeptic calls it, of His miraculous 
birth, may be put aside; the claims of the evangelists may 
be ignored, and all that creeds profess and ecclesiastical 
councils have determined respecting him may be laughed 
at, yet there remains the Christ, the completion of our 
humanity, the perfect Fatherhood of God. By looking and 
believing a vital communication is received, a regeneration, 
a new life. 

Take out of his discourses all that modern criticism 
rejects as spurious, make a due allowance for the tinge 
of their own thought, given to his utterances by his dis- 
ciples, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, yet the Sermon on 
the Mount, which contains the embodiment of all he said 
and did, remains; and in the presence of which both critic 
and skeptic are struck mute, by a consciousness that these 
utterances could not have been invented by the recorders 



376 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 

of his eventful life, nor had they ever leaped from the lips 
of man, but were truths revealed from heaven by him 
"who came down from heaveu." 

II. He was a self -rev elation of God. 

Whether the divine nature would have enswathed itself 
in humanity, had it not been for transgressions among 
men by men, revelation remains silent; but that it did in 
the person of Christ is most evident. 

Light and life were present wherever he went. 

SERMON SKETCH IV. 
Text: "Study to show thyself approved unto God" (II. 
Timothy 2: 15). June 20, 1880. 

INTEODUCTIOX. 

The true, the beautiful, and the good in nature lie care- 
fully concealed from the eye of man, but close application, 
diligent research, in a word, study, brings them from their 
hiding-place. 

To the superficial observer, to the ignorant, the grand 
harmony of nature is unknown, and science, art, and often 
the philosophy of religion, to them are sealed books. 

I. The utility of study. 

1. A definition. It does not consist in reading books 
and storing the memory with facts, but rather in mastering 
subjects, in systematizing facts in harmony with the super- 
natural that governs the universe. The forest, the mine, 
and the quarry are not cities, but they contain the ma- 
terial, so the memory may contain all the facts, but study 
systematizes and erects the stately edifices. 

2. Its happy effect upon the human spirit. 

(a) The proper study of any art or science, natural, 
mental, or moral, leads the spirit back to God. The study 
of the lyrics of David and Homer, as well as the Sermon 
on the Mount, point heavenward. I speak not of the sub- 
ject matter of the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey," but of those 
systematic laws and heavenly harmony to which the sub- 
ject matter conforms. These laws existed before Homer 
and David and are coexistent with the universe from the 
very dawn of being. Indeed, all law, whether in the science 
of government or the sciences of the material world, are 
of the supernatural and come down to us from the great 



377 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

Father above, and human governments and matter are but 
phenomena conformed to those laws. Socrates, Plato, 
Baker, and Burk, with all the great thinkers of the past, 
whose thoughts have bettered man's condition, ran in this 
channel. 

(b) The spirit thus becomes enlightened and is pre- 
pared for a life of duty. Ignorance is dispelled, etc. Ex- 
amples are not wanting — Numa, Aristotle, Solon, Confucius, 
Mohammed, Moses, Ezra, Paul, Augustine, Clark, Cook, etc. 

3. The highest utility to man is in matters of religion. 
The man who lives and studies that he may but "pull down 
barns and build greater," studies and lives to little purpose. 

SERMON SKETCH V. 

Text: He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he 
which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is right- 
eous, let him be righteous still" (Rev. 22: 11). 

1. The intimate relation between time and eternity. 
The character formed here is the character in which we 
enter upon eternity. This, character is fixed and prom- 
inent. It is habit formulated into character and every 
repetition of that which forms habit, strengthens it when 
once formed. It is alike true of both good and evil habits. 

2. The text suggests the same analogy to continue at 
death that has obtained during life; namely, one condition 
of being always preparatory to another and a more im- 
portant one, etc., infancy for childhood, childhood for 
youth, etc. The condition of the unjust and the filthy in 
the hereafter: "Let him be filthy still," as taught by the 
text. 

(1) In this life all the tendencies of moral evil are 
to punish its victims, but often those tendencies are set 
aside or hindered, but in the hereafter all those hindrances 
will be removed out of the way, etc. 

(2) In this state a corrupt life is durable for two rea- 
sons: (a) because the impure are surrounded by the pure, 
the base by the virtuous; (b) Its consequences as pre- 
sented. 

(3) But in the future state, not one pure thought, not 
one holy aspiration, a kingdom without one sentiment of 



378 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 

virtue, love, truth, without one emotion of joy or ray of 
hope. 

(4) There a true consciousness of the soul's degrada- 
tion obtains, which is the hell of all hells, where it becomes 
its own chastiser, etc. 

4. A word in respect to the true and the good of earth 
in the future state. 

SERMON SKETCH VI. 

Text: "Take heed therefore how ye hear; for whoso- 
ever hath," etc. (Luke 8: 18). 

The God of nature and the God of grace is one, and there- 
fore we might anticipate a striking analogy between the 
natural and the spiritual husbandry. 

I. We are so constituted that our obtaining more depends 
largely on what we already possess. (1) In the developing 
of the physical organism; (2) Our intellectual and moral 
powers; (3) Our spiritual and religious natures — Moses, 
Abraham, Luther, etc. 

II. Whosoever hath not, etc. 

This declaration is strictly true (1) of our temporal sur- 
roundings; (2) Of our spiritual gifts. Examples of illus- 
tration: Fish without eyes. A disposition to read but not 
obey the truth. 

III. How am I to live that with tvhat I have I may 
obtain more? 

1. By taking heed how I hear. 

2. By connecting doing with hearing and the developing 
of the Christ-life. The Christian is the developed incarnate. 

Toledo, Iowa, April 19, 1885. 

THE BISHOP'S ADDRESS AT FOSTORIA, OHIO, MAY, 

1885. 

To the Members-elect of the Nineteenth General Conference 
of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ: 
Brethren, beloved, grace, mercy, and peace from God 

the Father Almighty, and from Jesus Christ our Lord. 
We greet you as brethren, as the delegates chosen by 

the ministry and the laity of the Church, and as workers 

together with us in the kingdom and patience of our 

blessed Lord. 

379 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

As Christ Jesus is the central truth in Christian system, 
so should the glory of God and the conversion of the world 
be the central thought and motive of us all in our deliber- 
ations. More than one hundred years of the world's history 
have been made and written since we developed into a 
distinct ecclesiastical organization. This fact should serve 
as a reminder that we are not, but of "yesterday," and that 
the success which crowns our history is God's seal that 
our origin was wrought in him. As we scan the past, let 
us rejoice with trembling, remembering our delinquencies 
and the vast responsibilities of the hour. It is meet that 
the Church, in her highest council assembled, should ac- 
knowledge "it is God that worketh in us both to will 
and to work for his good pleasure," and hence, "not unto 
us, not unto us, O Lord, but unto thy name give glory." 
Thus recognizing her source of power, go forward, brethren, 
beloved of the Lord, and build upon the foundation which 
others have laid, whose work the Head of the Church has 
so strongly yet marvelously blessed. 

Here may we not pause and ask, Have we, as ministers 
and members of the Church, a zeal and an earnestness 
like to those who laid the foundation? Whether the funda- 
mental doctrines of the gospel constitute the themes of 
our ministrations to the perishing. And whether our sys- 
tem of itinerancy retains the purity and force so charac- 
teristic in the primitive history of our denomination. 
These are points around which careful thought should 
linger, and on which the best wisdom of your body should 
devote its energies. 

While we rejoice with you, brethren, in the opening of 
this quadrennial session, a somber shadow falls upon us. 
Six of our number who sat in this high council of our 
Church four years ago have been called to their reward, 
Vardiman, Nickey, Spangler, Martin, Hauffman, and 
Knight, all worthy, yet meek followers of their Master. 

For many years Vardiman, Nickey, Hauffman, and Mar- 
tin sat in the Councils of the General Conference of the 
Church and always proved themselves worthy the confi- 
dence reposed in them by their constituents and the Church 
in general. Brothers Spangler and Knight were young 
men, bright and promising. These servants of God were 



380 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 

competent officers, and earnest, devoted ministers of the 
Lord Jesus. 

Through the good pleasure of God, we most gratefully 
record the fact that the bishops have presided at all the 
sessions of the annual conferences in the United States, 
Territories, and Canada, except in several instances in the 
Ohio District, when, through personal illness the superin- 
tendent was prevented, other brethren presided. The an- 
nual sessions of the mission districts also have been held, 
so far as practicable by the bishops, otherwise by some 
general officer of the Church or by a brother recommended 
by the Executive Committee of the Board of Missions. 
Rev. D. K. Flickinger, D..D, Secretary of the Board, in ac- 
cord with the instructions of the Board of Missions, visited 
the mission districts in Africa and Germany in 1881, 1882, 
and 1884, and during these visits presided at their sessions, 
the reports of which have been given to the Church at 
large through the Board of Missions, and will be submitted 
to you by the secretary himself. 

Under the enabling act of the last General Conference, 
the Elkhorn Mission Conference was organized in 1881. 
This conference, although quite weak at its organization, 
has developed at least a degree of strength. The Arkansas 
Valley and Southwest Missouri conferences, created at the 
last session of this body, are very promising fields and are 
giving evidence of much vigor and rapid growth. 

For special reasons, in 1883, the Colorado Mission Con- 
ference was reduced to a mission district by the Board of 
Missions, and so remains. In pursuance with their appoint- 
ment by this body in session four years ago, Drs. H. A. 
Thompson and J. Yv T . Hott represented our Church in the 
great Ecumenical Conference which convened in the city 
of London, England, September, 1881. This great Council, 
although it had neither legislative nor executive powers, 
and was not authorized to give any formal expression on 
matters of doctrine or discipline, nevertheless considered 
the general interests of the Church as they stand related 
to the great moral questions of the day. Its sessions were 
harmonious, and we cannot doubt that, as a result, a 
higher unity in the great family of God is effected, which 
is but the dawning of a brighter day. 



381 



life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

Also, in accord with your instructions to us, "to prepare 
a suitable manual of administration for the guidance of 
conferences, presiding elders, pastors, and others in the 
use of Discipline and in the transaction of business in the 
Church," we have commenced the work, but, owing to much 
labor, have not been able to carry it to completion. 

It is gratifying to us to be able to report that a degree 
of peace, and a fair measure of prosperity have obtained in 
the Church during the quadrennium. While the number of 
members reported is not so great as in some former periods, 
this doubtless is accounted for in part in the fact that a 
more rigid system of reporting members has been adopted, 
and greater care exercised in pruning and correcting 
Church registers. Our statistics to date show a member- 
ship of 168,573; traveling preachers, 1,347; local preachers, 
920. 

In 1881 our Church registers showed a membership of 
157,712; traveling preachers, 1,235; local preachers, 750; 
which gave an increase for the quadrennium in membership 
of 10,861; traveling preachers, 112; local preachers, 170. 
These figures are not equal to those of the preceding quad- 
rennium, nevertheless, they are sufficient to inspire hope 
and give confidence. 

The material prosperity of the Church has been quite 
commendable indeed. Four years ago our houses of worship 
numbered 2,242; our present number is 2,454, an increase 
of 212. The number of parsonages, as per statistics, is 436, 
and the total value of church property, including value of 
parsonages, is $3,603,251. The amount paid for preachers' 
salaries for the year 1884 is $407,515.57, and the total 
amount collected for all Church purposes for the same per- 
iod is $842,470.04. 

The work done in the Sabbath schools is also calculated 
to inspire hope, but at the same time calls loudly for a more 
vigorous effort in this department of Church work. Our 
schools number 3,228, and the present attendance is 195,022. 
The work done in this department is more systematic than 
formerly, hence more satisfactorj 7- , in that a richer yield of 
fruit — conventions — is reported than hitherto. The system 
of normal instruction for teachers, in connection with the 
various helps furnished them, has been successful in 



382 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 



bringing into the school a corps of instructors peculiarly 
fitted for their work. With pleasure we note the increase 
and growing interest in forming Bible classes for adults, 
and may we not hope that this conference will recommend 
to pastors and superintendents the importance of giving 
more attention to this department of their work? 

The quadrennium has been one of marked interest in the 
history of our mission fields. In 1883 the American Mis- 
sionary Association transferred to our Board of Missions 
the Mendi Mission, on the west coast of Africa, which has 
greatly enlarged our field of operations on that "Dark Con- 
tinent." Including the Woman's Missionary Association 
of the Church, we now occupy 320 towns, with a member- 
ship of 1,547, and from 2,000 to 2,500 people Sabbath after 
Sabbath receive instruction in the divine Word from the 
lips of the twenty-two consecrated preachers and teachers 
who are now in that field. Day schools also, as well as 
Sabbath schools, in which hundreds of heathen children are 
taught letters and a knowledge of the way of life, are 
conducted by those faithful men and women of God. The 
material interests of the Church in this mission field have 
also greatly increased. Substantial improvements have 
been made in the way of building houses in which to teach 
and to preach, and in opening up new farms, and also in the 
purchasing of a small steamer for the use of the missions. 
In 1883 Rev. J. K. Billheimer, our treasurer, sailed to 
England, to complete or to carry out the contract entered 
into with the Freedmen's Aid Society, in London by our 
secretary during his stay in that country the year previous, 
all of which has added much to our material, as well as 
spiritual prosperity in Africa. 

God has also greatly blessed our mission district in Ger- 
many. We have now in that field eleven missionaries, fif- 
teen Sabbath schools, sixty appointments, and twenty-seven 
classes, with a membership of 600. 

The sisters of the Church, under the name of the 
Woman's Missionary Association, acting in harmony with 
the missionary authorities of the Church, are doing a great 
and good work for the Master. Since the last session of 
General Conference, they have opened mission fields in 
Germany and in Portland, Oregon, the latter of which is 



383 



life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

their Chinese mission. In Africa, in Germany, and in Ore- 
gon, the great Father has, in a remarkable manner, blessed 
their labors, and their effective work promises to be a pot- 
ent agency for good among all classes of this and of other 
lands. 

We have cause for gratitude, brethren, to Almighty God, 
that the reports coming from the home, frontier, and for- 
eign fields show that the spirit of revival has been poured 
upon the Church. Many of these revivals have been deep 
and abiding, evincing the presence and power of our blessed 
Lord. Let the words of the Lord Jesus, "Without me ye 
can do nothing," be upon the ear of the Church, and her 
watchword be, "I can do all things through Christ, who 
strengtheneth me." 

The Church Erection Society, although in its infancy, has 
greatly assisted weak societies in building houses of wor- 
ship, and thereby given permanence to the Church. We are 
gratified at the commendable increase of the loan fund col- 
lected throughout the Church for this very laudable inter- 
est in Church work. Many of the most promising fields are 
now open to us as a denomination, but a lack of means to 
build forbids us to enter. Let the contributions to this 
fund be largely increased in the near future. 

We record with pleasure the increased prosperity and the 
enlargement of our Publishing House. The work done in 
this broad field during the quadrennium is most satisfac- 
tory indeed. The report of the Publishing Agent in detail 
will show that more than $12,000 of surplus fund has been 
distributed among the conferences of the Church, while 
many thousands, more or less, have been wisely spent in 
increasing the facilities for greater and more effective 
work. 

But while there is a steady increase in the circu- 
lation of our periodicals and books as a whole, among our 
people, yet we are not unconscious of the fact that but a 
small per cent, of our Church literature is read by many of 
our members, and as a result of this inexcusable indiffer- 
ence, many, very many of the children and youth of the 
Church are growing up destitute of a knowledge of the his- 
tory, doctrine, and government of the Church. We note, 
however, with great satisfaction, the zeal, energy, and ef- 



384 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 

ficiency of our editors and Publishing Agent, in bringing 
their publications up to the high standard necessary to 
meet the wants of this age of thought and investigation, 
and making their work acceptable to the Church. In the 
Religious Telescope, the Froehliche Botschafter, Missionary 
Visitor, Children's Friend, and the Woman's Evangel, to- 
gether with all the Sabbath-school helps, the advance in 
real merit, as well as the increased circulation, is not only 
indeed truly gratifying, but also a fair promise of still 
greater prosperity in the future. 

In the educational work of the Church there has been 
commendable advancement. The increase of patronage in 
all our institutions is quite marked, and justly inspires 
hope. Many who are thus educated find their way into the 
sacred ministry, and are adding new life and strength to 
our Zion in this "high calling" of God. It is with joy of 
heart we note the growing interest among our people in 
the cause of higher Christian education, and the increased 
per cent, of our young men and women now in the schools 
of the Church. In some instances embarrassing debts have 
been lifted from our institutions, while as a rule the work 
of endowment is being carried forward successfully in al- 
most all of the colleges of the Church. Yet we cannot con- 
ceal from ourselves the fact that not a few of our institu- 
tions of learning are seriously in debt, and unless, by wise 
administration and vigorous effort, relief comes to stay the 
increasing indebtedness, these institutions may, ere long, 
be jeopardized. The work done in our schools merits high 
commendation, and those engaged in it, encouragement at 
your hands. The instruction imparted in Union Biblical 
Seminary is most satisfactory, indeed, and gives assurance 
that the Church will in the future, as in the past, reap a 
rich harvest from the labors of those trained in this foster 
child of the Church. But we deeply regret the bald fact 
that the Church has not become fully awake to the needs 
of this Seminary, and as a result an increasing debt hangs 
over it, and its adequate endowment yet remains a work for 
the future. 

Our educational statistics show that we have, in all, one 
theological seminary, ten colleges and ten academies, sem- 
inaries and schools of a higher grade. These buildings and 



25 



385 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 



grounds are valued at . The amount of their 

endowment is $361,500; number of teachers employed, 127; 
number of students for the year 1884, 1,988; estimated num- 
ber of students in attendance since the opening of these 

schools . The remaining debt upon these buildings 

is $273,127.69. This debt should be provided for in the near 
future, and these institutions thereby lifted to a higher 
plane of usefulness. 

We cannot but recognize the fact that our educational 
work stands side by side with the missionary and other 
leading interests of the Church, and to retrograde in this 
would be disintegration, and heading the way to speedy 
decay in all our Church work. That the Church may reap 
the highest benefits from her institutions of learning, and 
make the deepest salutary impressions upon the world from 
this department of her work, a higher unification in her 
educational system seems to be necessary. And to effect 
this we would suggest, first, the propriety of increasing the 
powers of the Board of Education, and second, a higher uni- 
formity in the course of studies in our schools. 

The great moral problems of the age have not been ig- 
nored by the Church. Our periodicals, without an exception, 
have been frank and outspoken, while the ministry and 
the laity have been aggressive and firm on the subject of 
temperance. The fact is especially gratifying to us that 
in the great struggle for prohibition in not a few of our 
States, our people have been earnest and devoted in the 
principles of constitutional prohibition. 

We call attention to the increasing laxity of the divorce 
laws in some of the States, and view with alarm the sickly 
sentimentalism on the subject that seems to be settling 
upon the Christian world, and threatening the sacredness 
of the marriage vow. We therefore recommend that some- 
thing positive be placed in our Book of Discipline relative 
to the marrying of divorced persons, and the licensing of 
men to preach among us who have been divorced on un- 
scriptural grounds. 

We need not say to your honorable body that the subject 
of secret societies has become a most perplexing one in our 
Zion; this is well known to you all. Also, it is expected of 
you by the people whom you represent that, under the 



386 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 

blessing of God, you will put this subject to rest, and bring 
peace to the Church by wise regulations. To this end we 
recommend: 1. In that it is admitted that our present Con- 
stitution has not been as yet submitted to a vote of the 
whole society, you determine whether the whole subject 
under consideration is or is not yet in the hands of the 
General Conference. 2. Should you determine that it is in 
your hands, then transfer the whole subject from the realm 
of constitutional law to the field of legislative enactment, 
which would be to expunge the whole question from the 
constitution, and bring it into the field of legislative enact- 
ment, to be handled as the Church, through her representa- 
tives, may determine from time to time. 3. That you limit 
the prohibitory feature of your enactment to combinations, 
secret and open, to which the Church believes a Christian 
cannot belong. 4. Should you decide that this constitutional 
question is beyond your control, and in the hands of the 
whole society, then submit the above propositions, properly 
formulated, to a vote of the whole society, and let a two- 
thirds vote of those voting be the authoritative voice of the 
Church on the subject. 

Dear Brethren, when your rules on this, as on other ques- 
tions, strictly harmonize with the letter and spirit of the 
gospel, it will bring concord to the Church, not dissen- 
sion and strife. 

The history of the Church clearly demonstrates three 
things essential to success: 1. An energetic, self-sacrific- 
ing, and aggressive ministry. 2. A consecrated, pious 
membership. 3. The enduement of the Holy Spirit, which 
the Head of the Church has promised alike to his ministers 
and people. Without these, the Church may despair of suc- 
cess. "With them, her star of power and holy influence will 
continue to rise. 

The great Father Almighty be praised in that in the past 
he has not meted out to us with a slack hand. Our Zion 
has been blessed with a self-sacrificing, zealous ministry 
and laity, and under the baptism of fire her war against 
transgression and sin has been unceasing. But we must 
not close our eyes to the fact that not all of her ministers 
received have been really profitable in their "high calling." 
This failure has too often been the result of a lack of proper 



387 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

qualification and fitness for the work. "If ever a higher 
qualification and fitness for the ministry was called for by 
the highest good of mankind, it is so at the present time. 
Such have been the advances in knowledge, and such the 
facilities for diffusing it widely and rapidly, that it is im- 
possible for ignorant men, or for men possessing less in- 
tellectual furniture than belongs to educated men generally, 
to exert that influence for truth and for the good of souls 
which the cause of Christ requires. While the adversaries 
of the Church are burnishing their armor and preparing 
for new modes of attack, it does not become the soldiers of 
the Cross to throw away the weapons of defense which 
Providence has put within their reach." 

When we remember that in almost every conference the 
labors of the efficient are retarded, and their compensation 
cut short, through the failures of inefficient and unfaithful 
colaborers, we are constrained to recommend that your 
legislation, relative to the ministry, be with a view to 
guarding well the threshold to the "sacred college," and 
to provide for retiring more easily the inefficient and un- 
successful. We have watched with regret the growing 
tendency in not a few of the conferences, of ministers not 
to go to the field of labor to which they are assigned, if, 
perchance, the field happens to be among the less important 
or less inviting ones. This we regard as the result, largely, 
of receiving men not trained and qualified in heart and life 
for the work, and who have but little if any appreciation of 
the mission in which they are engaged, and we fear place a 
higher estimate on the "loaves and fishes" than on the 
cause of their Master. 

Brethren, God has placed you in the van in this crisis- 
hour of the Church's great work. His Spirit in your midst 
alone can qualify you, and guide you in the work of the 
hour. We beg leave to suggest to you that in all your legis- 
lation on the great interests of the Church, you have a sin- 
gle eye to an open Bible, the exigencies of a dying world, 
and the glory of God, rather than to ancient creeds, peculiar 
dogmas, or opinions of men. 

In providing disciplinary regulations, we recommend 
that you keep in view the purity, the doctrines, the har- 
mony, peace, and prosperity of the Church in the light of 
an open Bible. 

388 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 

In all this we do not, dear brethren, presume to admonish 
you, nor even exhort you, but simply to arrest your 
thought. With gratitude to Almighty God do we turn, once 
more, to the past, and remember his mercies to our fathers, 
together with his peculiar fostering care that has kept us 
as a Church to this sacred hour. As we remember the 
deeds, the virtues, and devotion of the past, let us not for- 
get that in as much as we have, in addition to these lessons, 
the accumulated lessons and experience of the ages, that 
our devotion to truth and our legislation in the interests 
of the Church must be in accord with what we have, and 
the light of the age in which we live. And, finally, breth- 
ren, we commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, 
praying, in the Holy Ghost, that the spirit of wisdom may 
be given to you and to us, remembering ever that the pri- 
mary condition of success is a constant reliance on the Holy 
Spirit. 

We are, dear brethren, beloved, most affectionately your 
brethren and colaborers in the gospel of our Lord, Jesus 
Christ. E. B. Kephart. 

Toledo, Iowa. 

The above was put in the present form during the month 
of April, 1885. That part which relates to secret societies 
was written impromptu, after much prayer and meditation. 

E. B. K. 

SERMON— THE CHURCH. 

"And upon this rock will I build my church; and the 
gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matt. 16: 18). 

In many respects Jesus Christ was like other men. He 
was not indifferent as to whom the people believed him 
to be; and, accordingly, when he came into Csesarea Phil- 
ippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that the 
Son of man is?" They answered, "Some say John the 
Baptist; some Elijah; and others Jeremiah, or one of the 
prophets." He then said, "But who say ye that I am?" 
Simon Peter confessed, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of 
the living God." For this most worthy confession, the Son 
of Mary pronounced the confessor "blessed," and assured 
him that the truth confessed was not a revelation from 



389 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

flesh and blood, but from God, the Father. He then added: 
"And I also say unto thee, that thou are Peter, and upon 
this rock will I build my church, and the gates of Hades 
shall not prevail against it." 

In discoursing from this scripture we notice 

THE TERM "THIS ROCK." 

The end in view, by our Lord, was to emphasize what 
was to be the foundation of his church. Peter signifies a 
rock, so here, from a name, the metaphorical meaning of 
which is strength, by way of contrast, he outlines definitely 
the abiding, the ever-enduring foundation of his church, 
namely, the central truth of the Christian system, which 
is, that "Christ Jesus is the Son of the living God." Not 
on Peter, not on Christ as an individual, but on this cen- 
tral, abstract truth of the Christian system, that "Christ 
Jesus is the Son of the living God." Eliminate this central 
truth from Christianity and the whole system falls to 
pieces. One of the broad philosophical grounds upon which 
this interpretation rests, is that as a system Christianity 
is made up of principles which have their environment in 
the God of the universe, and, therefore, must rest upon 
some central truth, and not upon an individual. 

MY CHURCH. 

The next thought to-be considered is contained in the 
words, "ray church." "Upon this rock," as already ex- 
plained, "will I build my church." This term is not to be 
restricted as personifying any one church organization, 
much as such an interpretation might delight the narrow 
minded, who might contend for such restriction. In the 
past, claimants, in the form of organized Christian bodies, 
to the title "my church," to the exclusion of all others, 
were not wanting. And occasionally, even now, men of 
the same spirit and like type of mind are wont to run to 
and fro, crying, "Lo here, follow me, follow me": as if 
the Savior of men meant to identify their peculiar denom- 
ination. All these claims grow out of that spirit of relig- 
ious intolerance that ever has, and will question the rights 
of private opinion in matter of faith, and would in the 
future, as in the past, deluge the world in human gore. 
The term, then, while it refers to no one Christian denom- 



390 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 

ination or sect, as such, does refer to, and includes all 
who believe unto salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
These believers are to be found, some in the Roman Cath- 
olic Church, some in the Presbyterian, the Lutheran, the 
Methodist, the Baptist, my own, and other denominations 
or churches, together with those who do not belong to any 
distinct church organization, as such. Do you call this 
liberalism? It is that liberalism that comes from a divine 
illumination, as given to the Apostle Peter which enabled 
him to break away from his prejudices and say: "Of a 
truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but 
in every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteous- 
ness, is acceptable to him." The conditions of membership 
to this church are one: Fear God, work righteousness, 
which are contained in "repentance toward God and faith 
in our Lord Jesus Christ." Oh, how different this from 
the razing tests of the different creeds! No wonder the 
old Catholic bard sang, as he contrasted the conditions 
of discipleship laid down by his Lord with membership 
conditioned by the creeds: 

"There 's a fullness in God's mercy, 
Like the fullness of the sea ; 
There 's a kindness in his justice 
Which is more than liberty. 

"For the love of God is broader 

Than the measure of man's mind, 
And the heart of the eternal 
Is most wonderfully kind. 

"But we make his love too narrow 
By false limits of our own ; 
And we magnify his strictness 
With a zeal he will not own." 

Oh, how often, by the dogmas of men, Christ in the 
person of his children is excluded from what professes to 
be his church, "for in as much as ye have done it unto one 
of the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me." 

THE UTILITY OF THE CHURCH. 

Some men are wont to believe and teach that the church 
is a compact or an organization growing out of religion, 
which has its root in superstition, and hence an enemy 
rather than the friend of mankind. It is true that re- 



391 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

ligion has given rise to the church, but it is not true that 
religion has its root in superstition. Then as religion lies 
at the foundation of the church and has really developed 
it, we are led, in the first place, to consider the utility of 
religion. 

1. Religion in its broadest sense and in its utility in 
this life. It is not true that if death ends all, that, there- 
fore, religion is of no avail to man in this life. One of 
the most stern facts with which man has to grapple, is 
that at least this present life is "real," "earnest," and that 
his conscious existence here is one of pleasure and pain. 
And, even should it be that the grave is his "goal," it is 
nevertheless a matter of concern with him how it goes ere 
he reaches that "goal." Does religion, then, augment his 
pleasure and tend to diminish his griefs? We lay it down 
as a proposition that any religion in this life is better 
than no religion. To this proposition at first thought, some 
would dissent. But on due reflection upon what this life 
is and upon what religion is and the relation that exists 
between it and human earthly existence, no thought-mind 
will reject this proposition. By religion we mean that 
true devotion of the human soul, inspired by an over- 
whelming awe which accompanies the worshiper not 
only while in silence he approaches the sacred shrine of 
the infinite and eternal One, but also pervades his whole 
being, and determines his character, as it did alike in 
Greek sage and apostle to the Gentiles. With such a re- 
ligion he is the better whether he be Christian, pagan, or 
Jew, in so far as his earth life is concerned. But the 
correctness of the proposition becomes more apparent as 
we consider the relation that exists between religion and 
civilization. If it be a fact that civilized life is better for 
a man than a condition of savagery and, that it is better, 
all the civilized will agree; furthermore, if there can 
be no civilization without a religion, and if it be also a 
fact that religion lies at the foundation of all forms of 
civilization, then it follows that "any religion is better 
for a people than no religion." 

First, then, there can be no civilization without a 
religion. 



392 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 

In tracing the history of nations, there is nothing more 
marked than that religion has always determined this 
status of civilization. The nations of antiquity, Egypt and 
Phoenicia, Greece, Persia, and Rome, together with all 
others, were not civilized without religion, to the truth of 
which all history bears testimony. And as their religion 
was, so was their civilization. Egypt is, to-day, astonish- 
ing the world with her literature of forty centuries ago, 
which reveals all the facts of that strange and marvelous 
civilization of the Nile country, only hinted at in the 
Word of God. Two very important facts are brought to 
light respecting Egypt, by modern investigation and in- 
quiring into her ancient records. 

1. That her most remote or earliest civilization was her 
most perfect civilization. 

2. That her religion then was a pure theism and that 
her god, "Nuk pu Nuk" "I am that I am," bore the same 
title, that the God of Moses did. That this was the original 
worship of Egypt, the temple of King Shafra by its free- 
dom not only from idols, but even from symbolic decora- 
tions, permits no doubt. As her religion faded from a 
pure theism into idolatry, her civilization died; and when 
her sun went down in eternal night, then sang her beau- 
tiful queen, 

"Sinks the sun below the desert. 
Golden glows the sluggish Nile. 
Purple flame crowns hill and temple, 
Lights up every ancient pile. 

"Where the old gods now are sleeping, 
I am dying. Egypt, dying. 

Let the Caesar's army come, 
I will rob him of his glory, 

Though beyond the sky I roam." 

I need not tell you what has been her history from that 
to the present day. 

The history of Greece, from her age of barbarism to the 
culmination of her civilization in the days of Pericles, is 
known and it is also well known, as Lord Woodhouse ex- 
pressly says, "Greece could not be civilized until the 
religion of the Titans was incorporated with that of the 
Aborigines." The aboriginal Greeks were a race of sav- 
ages who dwelt in caverns and fed on human flesh and are 



393 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

said to have been ignorant of the use of fire; but the 
Titans were a religious people, who came into Greece from 
Phoenicia about the time of Abraham. Now with the 
institutions of religion, she commenced her march to civ- 
ilization which culminated in the age of Pericles, and made 
her a great and happy people. 

The same also is true of Rome. Numa formulated her 
religion and laws, at best in a sense, as did Moses the man 
of God for the Jews. The supremacy of Rome among the 
nations of the earth was due as much to her religious 
institutions as anything else. Her religion determined the 
status of her government under which was developed that 
marvel of civilization and matchless military power at 
which the world stood in awe, while her eagles glanced in 
the rising and setting sun. The history of man fails to 
furnish a single example of a nation or even tribe of men 
rising from a condition of barbarism to a state of civilized 
life without religion. The facts are that the nearest the 
approach of the tribes of men to "no religion," the further 
they are found to be removed from civilization. And this 
rule seems to be so universal that it is scarcely now a 
question whether even the first forms of society can obtain 
and be maintained without a religion. The tribes of 
Borneo as well as some of the Esquimaux tribes in their 
utter destitution of civilization, mentioned by Alexander 
Van Humboldt, might be cited as proof of the above. 

While it is true that any religion is better for a 
people than no religion, it is not true that all religions 
are equally good. Some religions are capable of developing 
a higher civilization than others. Among the ancient na- 
tions surely the Jew developed the highest type of man. 
Moses will ever stand the peer of men of the ancient 
world. The religion, laws, and institutions which he gave 
to the Hebrews, towered them in point of a true civili- 
zation far above all others of that remote past, and for 
more than forty stormy centuries have kept them a distinct 
people, and free from a state of barbarism; sixty thousand 
of these are now in the city of New York and, thank God, 
not one of them a saloon-keeper. 

No candid man can compare the highest morality, purity, 
and refinement ever known among the Greeks and the 



394 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 

Romans, even with all the light that glimmered upon them 
by tradition from the temple of the true God at Jeru- 
salem, with that which obtained among the Jews. Just 
in so far as Jewish civilization towered above that of the 
Greek's and the Roman's, in so far was the religion of 
the former superior to that of the latter. We can judge 
of the merits of a religion only by its effect upon its vo- 
taries. The same test must be applied to the religion of 
the Cross. Among the modern types of civilization, where 
do we find man the most elevated? Even if the honest 
doubter were to sit as umpire in the case, who would 
doubt that he would define the limits within the belt 
of Christendom. India, China, and some other nations, 
not Christian, are yet civilized, but their civilization is 
like their religion, dark, dreary, and sad. No lands under 
the face of the sky support people so happy, so cultured 
and so refined, as do Christian lands; and no religion 
known to earth's suppliants has developed a civilization 
so broad and so transcendently glorious as that of the 
nineteenth century, which is strictly Christian, and legiti- 
mate product of the religion of the Cross. In point of 
true morals and the rights of man, so essential to the 
happiness of the race, what is there in all the religions 
of earth to be compared with the doctrines and teachings 
of Jesus of Nazareth? nor is the life which he lived, and 
by which he illustrated his doctrines, equaled by the life 
of the best ancient that ever grew hoary in the love of 
wisdom. 

2. Religion in the restricted sense (the Christian), and 
its utility to man in relation to his future life. 

Brethren, friends, religion is good, and brings to man 
his highest good in this life, even should it be true that 
"death ends all." But this latter is not true; death does 
not end all. Man, a spark struck from Divinity, is im- 
mortal. So teaches the Divine Word, so also, the deepest 
consciousness of the human soul, and alike the most pro- 
found reason and philosophy of all ages. Man's earth 
life is made up of strange possibilities; what he will be 
in the future depends much upon what he now possesses 
and its proper utilization. "He that hath to him shall be 
given," is the Word of the great Teacher. In a word, this 



395 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

earth life is man's probation. Here is where life's battle 
is fought, and conflicting passions rage in fiercest fury. 

To the human soul comes, not the dying rays of a mortal 
genius, but the breaking light of a heaven-sent hope, the 
word of life and immortality brought to light in the 
gospel of the Son of God. This new truth, messenger from 
the skies, by the power of the Holy Ghost revivifies the 
soul, and the recipient becomes "a new creature in Christ 
Jesus." The passions that raged are now under control, 
and the once convicting voice of God heard in the realm 
of conscience now whispers words of reconciliation and 
peace. A consciousness of sin and the disapprobation of 
God to a wicked life come to you and to me in the light 
of a clear conviction only in so far as we are brought under 
the influence and power of the gospel. God's eternal truth 
is essential to enlighten men not only in reference to sin, 
righteousness, and a judgment to come, but it is all im- 
portant also to answer the question, "What must I do to be 
saved?" And it is the only religion given that answers 
that question. To-day the hand on the dial of time points 
to the eighty-seventh year of the nineteenth century, and 
while we are engaged in this service the statistics show 
the Christian population of the globe to be not less than 
420,000,000. Of all the centuries, the present is the most 
marked in the history of the church; her grasp on the 
human conscience is most firm and her fruitage the most 
rich. 

Let the mountains depart and the hills be removed, 
armies bleed, dismantled of their broken shields, civil 
policy be reversed and social law be abrogated, light 
wander into primeval gloom, form dissolve into chaos and 
attraction loose its interlinking cordage — yet the church 
of God will triumph. Time may change and some grow 
old and die — the Pentelican and the Parian crumble amid 
the ruins of the final consummation, the shrine-capped 
mountain sink beneath the wave of time's last destiny, 
aye, the oath of the archangel, with one foot upon the 
sea and the other upon land, may be completed and time 
be no more, yet the general assembly and the Church of 
the First Born "shall so be ever with the Lord." 



396 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 

Oh, for an angel's tongue, touched by seraphic fire that 
I might paint the thought that lingers about the "eternity 
of God's church." The arithmetician has figures to com- 
pute the progressions of time, the astronomer has instru- 
ments to calculate the distance of the planets; but what 
numbers can state, what lines can guage the length and 
breadth of eternity? It is higher than heaven, what canst 
thou do? deeper than hell, what canst thou know? the 
measures thereof are longer than the earth, broader than 
the sea: mysterious, mighty existence, a period not to be 
lessened by the most prodigious waste of ages. 

SERMON— HUMAN KNOWLEDGE LIMITED. 

"We know in part" (I. Cor. 13:9). 

The sphere of human knowledge is limited, and when the 
highest attainments are reached, the best that can be said 
is, "We know in part" only. While the gateway of knowl- 
edge, in a sense, is alike open to all, yet the capacity to 
acquire and the opportunity to enter are as varied as the 
leaves of the forest. 

The history of the human spirit in its struggle upward 
after knowledge is most interesting, and suggestive of the 
dignity and destiny of the soul. 

The speculations relative to man's condition intellectu- 
ally, and his status from the standpoint of a true civiliza- 
tion, when he first appeared on our planet, vary with the 
judgments of the men, and the age and conditions in which 
they have lived and spoken. Some have claimed for him 
the highest type of civilized life, with his intellectual and 
moral faculties fully developed. Others regard him as hav- 
ing been little above the mere animal, but endowed with 
reason, and a capacity for culture and a true nobility, al- 
though in a condition of savagery; and all that he now is, 
is the result of a slow process of development through 
which he has been passing. Along these lines a fierce bat- 
tle has been fought, and the storm is yet raging. Quite an 
array of proof has been introduced on both sides, but no 
satisfactory conclusion reached. To the earnest seeker for 
truth, after weighing all the evidence at command on the 
subject, it would seem safe to render this judgment: Man, 



397 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

when he first appeared on earth, was not an angel on the 
one hand, or a savage demon on the other. He was intelli- 
gent, and his offspring, then as now, were born intelligent, 
rational, moral creatures, and the development of these na- 
tures, then as now, depended much upon the environment 
of the living agent. As to his civilized status, that depends 
much upon what is meant by civilized. If we mean by this 
simply "polished," then Greece and Rome were most civil- 
ized when they were most corrupt. Purity, with the broad- 
est moral culture, constitutes the best civilization. Rome's 
civilization was better when Brutus, with his bloody knife, 
drove Tarquin out, although there was less of culture and 
less of art, than when virture in the eternal city was re- 
garded as a defect in female character. I think we are safe 
in saying that at least in his beginning he was not a sav- 
age. Indeed, the history of civilization has developed these 
two facts; namely, that in its march it has embraced the 
improvement of society and the improvement of the man, 
and it further indicates that the steps taken in human his- 
tory were, first, from a humble type of civilized life into a 
condition of barbarism, and second, from this condition of 
barbarism back and up into a higher civilization. Surely 
on this subject the Hebrew was right to speak, who, alone 
of all men, can point to every period of his history, and 
say, "We have always been civilized men." His utterance 
is, "God created man in his own image, in the image of God 
created he him," and then pronounced his work very 
good. But on this whole subject, as already indicated, 
there is much of speculation, and here as well as elsewhere, 
often by the investigator, matters of opinion are stated as 
matters of fact. Here true science and sound criticism 
unite in one voice, "We know only in part." 

That the human soul is possessed of strange and 
marvelous powers, and thus susceptible of almost unlimited 
development, is without question. This fact is demon- 
strated by not less than six thousand years of its sad, yet 
hopeful history here on this planet on which we live. 

In man's march through the earth he has left his im- 
press on the ages, which marks the progress he has made 
from generation to generation. His capacity for recording 
events and storing up knowledge, and then transmitting it 



398 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 

to posterity, has had more to do with the development of 
the race, and bringing it up to what it now is, than all else 
that is attributed to heredity. In the same ratio that his 
field of thought has been broadened, so, also, have his wants 
been multiplied; and in the degree that his wants have been 
increased, and he has patiently, but earnestly, knocked at 
nature's storehouse, has the God of nature responded to 
him by the unfolding of scientific truth. 

To man scientific truth may be new, and, indeed, many 
new sciences may yet be formed, but the laws which under- 
lie them all are as old as the starry heavens with their 
starry hosts. Want, and sometimes grim necessity, has 
been the very gateway to discovery, which led up to the 
unfolding of some higher truth. And then, in turn, the 
utilization of truth discovered, and the application of 
knowledge in hand to the alleviating of the wants and 
necessities of the individual and society constituted the 
solution of a problem that has ever led up to the attain- 
ments of higher degrees of human happiness. But I would 
not thus mislead you, and cause you to think that want 
and necessity are the only avenues to man that lead up to 
knowledge. I shall here at least mention one more. The 
delights of knowledge, in contrast with ignorance, are such 
as ever to urge onward the restless, ever-inquiring spirit of 
mortals in the search after truth. There is a beauty in 
knowledge like Plato's truth, which, if stripped of all ma- 
terial form and laid bare to the human reason, all would 
rush to its almost divine embrace. 

It is this element in its pure waters which, if the way- 
faring one is permitted to taste, he is ever wont to return 
thither and drink. These "apples of gold in pictures of 
silver," painted by a divine hand and hung out in the way- 
march of history, have unceasingly lured the race onward 
in its inquiry after God and true wisdom. The ever-con- 
sciousness of his "knowing only in part," and a like sense 
of an evolution within, carrying him forward under a 
divine law to an era "when that which is perfect will have 
come, and that which is in part will have been done away," 
has stood by the race, when the blackest moral night had 
covered its sky, and out of the thick gloom the human soul, 
in accord with the divine Word, continued to cry, "But at 



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Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

evening time it shall be light." There is this strange, be- 
witching delight in knowledge which has much to do with 
the power of inspiration; namely, that by the addition of 
every new truth in the pursuit of knowledge there comes 
an enlarged capacity for the acquisition of more, and thus 
onward to the eternal goal. 

Investigation has led man up to that standpoint of in- 
formation where he is able with certainty to affirm that 
the material universe is a unit — is one. In so far as it re- 
lates to our own planet, if he go to the north until the 
rock-ribbed coast of eternal snow and perpetual ice-bound 
sea forbid further advance, or if he go to the south, on out 
into the southern ocean, until the Southern Cross stands 
almost over his head, it is still our own old earth. If by 
the spectroscope he catches a ray of light from the sun or 
the most distant star, and subjects it to the test of analysis, 
he finds it to be the same as our earth; and he exclaims, in 
accord with science and revelation, "The universe is one, 
and its Author must be one." 

But in the sweep of history to the present hour, supersti- 
tion, like an incubus, has fettered the human soul. It has 
always shadowed man's religious life, and entered into his 
devotions. It matters but little to what age or race of men 
the student directs his investigation, he finds this monster 
brooding over the human spirit, and darkening its life. In 
the study of the Acadians, the Assyrians, the Egyptians, 
the Greeks, and the Romans, one cannot but be impressed 
with their marvelous civilization, their high literary at- 
tainments, and their stupendous religious institutions. 

And while their religion was the most dominant, yet in 
spite of their intelligence, superstition dominated their re- 
ligion and literature to that degree that it brought in such 
a reign of idolatry, — the Asiatic and Egyptian nature wor- 
ship having given way to the mythology of the Greeks, and 
the latitudinarianism of the Romans, — that Cicero de- 
clares, "The very priests could not help laughing in 
one another's faces as they celebrated the sacred rites." 
If the statement, which comes to us from the Greek au- 
thors, "Athens in the age of Pericles was so advanced in 
jurisprudence that every adult male citizen was 
competent to appear in open court and represent 



400 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 



his own case before the judges," be true, I am quite 
confident from what comes to us to-day, from the monu- 
ments in the land of the Pharaoh's, and from libraries in 
the valleys of the Euphrates and the Tigris, dating more 
than a thousand years before the first son of the Shemitic 
race set his foot in those regions, that the races there liv- 
ing must have possessed a culture akin to that in Greece. 
And yet with all their exalted attainments in learning, in 
literature, in art, in science, in the art of war and in the 
art of peace, I say, notwithstanding all this advancement, 
yet in religion their moral sky gradually grew darker, and 
superstition became more and still more appalling, until 
the result, as above stated, was reached, — namely, their 
nature-worship having given place to Greek mythology and 
Roman latitudinarianism, when the heart of priest and peo- 
ple grew sick at their sacred shrines and the world was 
made ready for a new religion. But beneath this dark and 
threatening sky were, at least, some earnest spirits seeking 
after truth and feeling after God. There is what Guizot is 
pleased to call "the natural morality of man, which never 
abandons him in any condition, in any age of society, and 
mixes itself with the most brutal empire of ignorance or 
passion." Men grow tired of ignorance, wickedness, and 
sin, and ashamed of their degradation. There is a curse 
upon wrong-doing which falls upon a wicked world in all 
the storm of a devouring fire. In the rush of human pas- 
sion, in its maddening course downward, one is surprised 
that it does not sweep the entire race into perdition; but 
it does not, for there are counteracting forces which are 
mightier than the rage of demonized humanity. On the 
everlasting buttresses of truth and righteousness heaven 
has set its flaming sword, which in all history has guarded 
the sacred citadel. No difference what may have been the 
decline in religion, in virtue, in piety, and in true culture, 
ignorance may have spread his withering curse round the 
globe, paganism with her dark superstition may have en- 
circled the world, yet in every age some Moses from the 
slave-dens of Egypt, some Menes, some Hindu Buddha, or 
Confucius in China, some Zoroaster, some Socrates or 
Plato, aye, a Jesus of Nazareth, has arisen and called out 
from the darkness to the wondering world, and directed it 



26 



401 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

into truer paths, leading up to broader plains of heavenly 
light; but while man's knowledge is so limited relative to 
material things and his earth life, that in the most strict 
sense "he knows only in part," yet in respect to the unseen 
universe and a future life he is even more restricted. Is it 
so, or is it not so, that out of the realm of the unseen, as 
with unseen, aye, spiritual fingers, are enswathed in ma- 
teriality and made tangible to the eye of sense, all things 
that hath life? I am inclined to think that the old Stagirite 
expressed at least half truth when he laid down his sys- 
tem of "Form," or "Archetype," or "Idea," as constituting 
the "essence of things"; for who in all history has so suc- 
cessfully plodded his way, by abstract reasoning, up the 
mist-enshrouded coast of ontology to the very throne of 
the Absolute, as he? 

Surely the realm of the unseen is the abode of absolute 
truth. It grows not in the soil of earth, and here man real- 
izes but an earnest of it. When the heart grows weary of 
research and the soul impatient of waiting for more light, 
and cries in bitterness to the good Father of all, the heav- 
ens no longer remain in brass, but responses come to the 
wrestler, be he a Jacob of the Hebrews, a Greek sage, or a 
black Sammie of modern "Darkest Africa." The God of 
the universe is no respecter of persons, "but he that fear- 
eth God and worketh righteousness is accepted of him." 
But as to a future life! Conscious knowledge gives the as- 
surance of my existence yesterday and now. This inspires 
hope that I shall be on to-morrow and ever in the future; 
yet I am not ignorant of conscious knowledge and hope in- 
spired. True, the divine Word, on its almost every page, 
directly or indirectly, sets forth the fact of man's future 
life. If we accept it as God's thought to man on that sub- 
ject, it brings the soul into a condition of rest. While some 
critics have stated that the doctrine of a future state is not 
taught in the Pentateuch, and that this doctrine is an after- 
thought or development of the Hebrews, yet who is it that 
reads the Bible correctly that does not soon become im- 
pressed with the fact that doubt of a future state is the 
after thought, and when man began to doubt, then inspira- 
tion spoke out definitely on the subject; but outside of 
revelation, there is much ground for hope. The ever con- 



402 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 

scious welling up of immortality, aye, the strange dream 
of it, from childhood to old age, that has ever been a sup- 
port to the patient plodder, is meaningless if death ends all. 
Every rose that blushes, every tree that buds, and every 
flower that blooms tells me the story of immortality. Out 
of the realm of the unseen comes their lives into our dark 
world, and here they are enswathed in organized matter. 
A change comes, this enswathment disappears, life has de- 
parted. We call it death. But surely it existed before it 
was enswathed and made tangible to mortal vision; why 
not after it has disappeared? Are these conceptions, these 
ideas, these longings for immortality, only exhibitions of 
heaven's mockery? I know not what you think of the keen, 
"lynx-eyed" Descartes, but to him came these conceptions 
with all the force of a demonstration. 

In the discovery of truth, religious as well as scientific, 
these revelations have come in epochs; and as epoch has 
succeeded epoch, the swell of the world's tide of thought 
has successively reached higher and yet higher truths. 
The more familiar man becomes with general knowledge, 
and the better acquainted he is with the history of human 
progress, the clearer is he led to see that science and all 
true learning are the hand-maid of religion; that they, 
when rightly understood, have ever gone hand in hand to 
the battle, and that their development has in a sense ever 
been unique, and kept pace with each other. This is quite 
manifest when we can fully scan the past. The lowest ebb 
of religious thought marks the darkest period reached by 
the race, both in point of intellectuality and scientific 
knowledge; and, as was evidenced by the World's Colum- 
bian Exposition, in Chicago, of 1893, and the World's Con- 
gress of Religions, which convened at the same time and 
place, the race is now on the very crest of the wave. Here 
the world placed on exhibition its very best art, its very best 
science, its very best religion, and its very best thought on 
all the achievements of human knowledge. There, for the 
first time since the "earth was divided," the ends of the 
earth were brought together to compare notes on the greater 
subject of religion. The best thoughts of pagan philosophy 
and religion were there, and after the lapse of the many, 
many dreary centuries of wandering that lay between the 



403 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

days of separation, on the plains of the Euphrates and the 
Tigris, when God called Abraham out of Ur of the Chal- 
dees, Gentile and Jew, pagan, Mohammedan, and Christian, 
met in the Babylon of the new world, to shake hands, and 
to record in all the languages of earth the achievement of 
the brighter epoch in human history. As I sat and listened 
to the utterances in my own tongue of the sages of India, 
and of Hindustan, I said, now as of old, "wise men are 
come from the East" to this Jerusalem of religion to bring 
their frankincense and do homage to the "new-born King." 
For it was the kingdom of Christ that called that Congress 
of Religions, in order that from the most lofty pinnacle of 
the world's advancement it might roll its sweet and healing 
waters round the globe. 

But, my young friends, while I believe and teach the 
doctrine of man's advancement, I believe, also, that his ad- 
vancement obtains only through the development of the 
germs of truth, which are heaven born and deposited in 
the human soul. And what is yet in reserve for our sorrow- 
smitten races, no angel can tell, nor sage guess; but this 
we believe, that the dark clouds which are now breaking 
will be cleared away, and ultimately will be ushered in 
the "new heavens and a new earth, in which dwelleth right- 
eousness." 

Looking backward, then, the periods most signal in re- 
ligious history, and which have affected the world most are 
two; namely, that which is covered by the Old Testament, 
and that which is covered by the New. These eras are 
sometimes called in church history, "the old dispensation," 
and "the new dispensation." 

The Hebrew scriptures loom up out of a dark sea of an- 
cient national life like a mighty Pharos in mid-ocean. Its 
rock-hewn base has been washed by the tides of all time, 
while every form of unbelief and cold criticism has been 
hurled against it, only to be broken and dashed to pieces. 
With the bright promise of yet higher truths upon its lips, 
it has stood among the literature of the world since liter- 
ature began, and to-day the student and the sage turn to its 
pages, hoary with the weight of years, to study the best 
thought ever inspired by the muse or expressed in rhyth- 
mical numbers in any age. Some of the best critics put 



404 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 

Job and Isaiah, not only above the Mahabharata of India, 
but above the Iliad as well. And well they may, for its 
themes are as far above the themes of the Hindu and the 
Greek as the final triumph of truth will be above the vic- 
tory of the Greeks after the Trojans at the siege of Troy. 
This old musty volume in telling its story carries us back 
to the very beginning of things. It stands out amid the 
darkness of antiquity, the superior of anything that has 
surrounded it in any age. Its historical accounts of the 
earliest known periods of the world are the most valid. 
Contrast its account of the introduction of the human race 
on the planet with the accounts given of the same event, 
either by paganism, or by the priests of modern science, 
who reject its high claims. Take Huxley, take Tindal, 
Alexander Bain, Herbert Spencer, or any of the high priests 
of modern materialistic philosophy and science, and may it 
not be said of them what Cicero said of the idolatrous 
priests of Rome, "They laugh in the very faces of each 
other as they listen to their vague theories of creation and 
their many foolish notions respecting human origin." 

Look at its legislation. In Israel you find the most 
liberal polity of ancient times, and here, too, you will find 
the only free state government that belongs to that remote 
period. Here, first among the nations, was the sacredness 
of womanhood recognized, and her rights protected. Her 
lofty spiritualism in religion, her moral wisdom, her broad 
system of social ethics, while these made her the object of 
cruel hatred to the idolatrous, nevertheless she threw a 
halo of light over the world that has ever tended to the sav- 
ing of the nations. 

To the student of history, it is very apparent that the 
Hebrew system served as the initiative, and took the lead- 
ing part in the world's transition from polytheism to the 
worship of one God. 

Mark the position of the Hebrew state among the an- 
cient nations. She stood almost in the center of the world's 
most ancient civilization. Egypt, Phoenicia, and Assyria 
surrounded her at one time, at another she was spoiled by 
the Greek, and still at another she became a central 
province of the Roman empire. At no period was she a 
locked up kingdom, diffusion being the very design of her 



405 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

existence, and notwithstanding her city and her temple 
were often stained by the foot of the spoiler, and blackened 
by the touch of her foes, yet no image was ever found in the 
sacred place, and only the sacred altar to one God. True, 
idolatrous hands dashed it to pieces, and its worshipers 
often became wanderers in a strange land, yet to-day, as 
then, Israel is among the nations, holding up her beacon of 
pure theism, and witnessing the nations coming to the Star 
of her rising. «j 

This is Christianity. This is the era in human history 
when the kingdom of God is with men. Here is where and 
when science is to reach its culmination. In this era is 
when "men shall run to and fro and when knowledge shall 
increase." Yes, in this grand era is when "nation shall not 
lift up sword against nation, and the nations shall learn 
war no more." Contrasting this and other like statements 
from the Word of God with the present condition of society, 
men are inclined to hang down their heads and anxiously 
inquire, "What shall be the end of these wonders?" 

Great events thicken fast upon the dial of time. The 
rolling wheels of God run swift and high, but never back- 
ward. To-day a decade of years is enough to revolutionize 
the world. The deep, hidden forces of truth now sway the 
very scaffold erected by its enemies for its execution, and 
the sound of the goings of God is heard throughout the 
whole earth. "Signs in the sun and moon appear, the sea 
and the waves roaring, and the powers of heaven are 
shaken." The great, seething, surging sea of humanity is, 
to-day, as the rushing in of the tide, the nations are run- 
ning to and fro through the earth, and all things are replete 
with change and revolution, that the rubbish which has 
floated to us from antiquity may give place to the "new 
heavens and a new earth, in which dwelleth righteous- 
ness." 

SERMON— CHRIST, GOD'S ANSWER TO THE SOUL'S 

QUESTIONS. 

There comes to us a myth from the people of the South 
Sea Islands to this effect: When the Creator of the world 
had caused the solid ground to rise above the watery abyss, 
he walked forth upon it to survey his works. He proclaimed 



406 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 



aloud "Good." From the echoing hill also came back the 
voice, "Good." What! am I not here first?" exclaimed the 
Creator. "I first," answered echo. Hence these wild Man- 
gane say, "First of all existences is the naked, body- 
less voice." This is their way of saying, "In the beginning 
was the Word." Man's utter ignorance when he comes into 
the world is a matter of fact. That he brings with him a 
capacity to know, and to store up knowledge, is without 
question. The universe that opens up about him, whence 
he came, and whither he is going, raise questions of infinite 
importance to him, and for which he is ever seeking an in- 
telligent answer. These questions are deep rooted in his re- 
ligious nature, and as human nature is a unit, and is 
governed and controlled by like principles in all men, and 
in all lands, and in all ages, this explains in a high degree 
the striking similarity in the fundamental principles in all 
religions. For if the family of mankind is one, and "God 
made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on all the 
face of the earth, and hath determined the times appointed 
and the bounds of their habitation, that they should seek 
the Lord if happily they might find him," we should not be 
surprised that in thus seeking not only the fundamental 
principles of his religion should be so strikingly similar, 
but we might reasonably anticipate similarity in worship, 
ceremony, traditions, and in many other respects, yet the 
end sought is the same in all, namely, the favor of God. The 
scientific explanation of the origin of religions would be 
this, and it will hold good for every member of the race; 
namely, that a conscious will is the ultimate origin of all 
Force, and that man may communicate with it. As one has 
said, "It is the belief that behind the sensuous, phenomenal 
world, distinct from it, giving it form, existence, and activ- 
ity, lies the ultimate, invisible, immeasurable power of 
mind, of conscious will, of intelligence, analogous in some 
way to our own, and that man is in communication with 
it." A close analysis of the rudest superstitions of pagan- 
ism, on the one hand, or the most lofty utterances of St. 
Paul on the other, reveal this same postulate of belief in 
all; and what the highest religions assume was also the 
fundamental in the earliest and most primitive cults. Amid 
their endless forms of expressions, in creeds, rights, and 



407 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

ceremonies, one universal trait obtained, the unalterable 
faith in will, mind, as the ultimate source of all force, all 
life, all being, inherent in the super-sensuous. This universal 
end sought "favor with God"; and will, mind, God, as the 
ultimate source of all force, is accounted for by the learned in 
two ways: First, theologians quite generally have accounted 
for it on the ground of tradition, relationships, and historic 
connections of primitive peoples, and regard these as a full 
and complete answer; but the ethnologist dissents from 
this, and affirms that "it is from the identity in the mental 
construction of the individual man." Professor Buchmann 
says, "It is easy to prove that the striking similarity in 
primitive religious ideas comes, not from tradition, nor 
from relationships, nor historic connections of early peo- 
ples, but from the identity in the mental construction of the 
individual man, wherever he is found." But sound criticism 
and a correct philosophy would say it is the result of what 
is claimed both by the theologian and the ethnologist joint- 
ly; namely, tradition, relationships, historic connections of 
early peoples, and the identity in the mental construction 
of the individual man wherever found. Indeed, the leading 
conceptions, recorded as historic facts, both in the Old and 
New Testaments, such as "the creation," "the fall of man," 
"the deluge," and "the expected advent of a Savior or a 
Redeemer and a restorer of the race," find a place in the 
literature and traditions of all the primitive nations of the 
ancient world. 

These have served as themes both for the poet and sage, 
and been made sacred by the speculation of the philosopher, 
and by the myth of the muse. I am not ignorant of the fact 
that destructive criticism, in your day and mine, is wont 
to dispose of many of these questions with a mere jerk; and 
yet, is it not a fact that in not a few instances it is being 
compelled to take off its sandals and, like the transcenden- 
talists of Germany and the common-sense school of Scotland, 
venture upon the holy ground of religion, and seek refuge 
in the laws of faith and belief in the historic city of the 
blessed old Book, even to find a fixed fulcrum upon which 
to rest its destructive battery? It is a little amusing to 
hear Professor Benton, in his lecture on "The History of 
Religions," say, speaking of the deluge, "Its origin is pure- 



408 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 

ly psychic, and derived from the myth of the epochs of na- 
ture"; and referring to the earthly paradise, he also adds, 
"Its origin is purely psychic, and although we can easily 
understand how the writer of the Book of Genesis sought to 
identify these mythical dreams with some known to him, 
it is strangely out of date for scholars of to-day to follow 
his footsteps in that vain quest." 

In a like manner both the date and the authorship of the 
Pentateuch was wont to he crowded out of its proper place 
in Hebrew history, into the monarchical or exilic age of 
Israelitish history by that class of critics, on the assump- 
tion that the patriarchal age was non-literary, and society 
was too barbaric, and not sufficiently advanced to produce 
or warrant such a record. But the recent discovery of the 
code of Hammurabi, which is at least several centuries 
older than the laws of Moses, taken in connection with the 
Tel-el-Amarna tablets discovered in lower Egypt, has com- 
pletely refuted the destructive criticism of the non-literary 
character of the patriarchal age. It is now made manifest 
that even the age of Abraham was a literary age, in which 
books were multiplied, and it was also an age in which the 
government and culture of Babylon extended to the Medi- 
terranean Sea. There are some ghosts that "will not clown" 
at the mere bidding of men. One of them that will not, is 
God's self-revelation of himself, in the person of Jesus 
Christ, as he is inveiled in the Book, and was unveiled in 
his life among men; and thus manifested is God's answer 
to the soul's ultimate inquiry. Jesus Christ is the most im- 
portant factor in God's revelation to man in the Old Testa- 
ment, just as he is the most important in the New Testa- 
ment; and it is the Spirit of Christ, thus inveiled in the 
Holy Scriptures, that constitutes life and power in and over 
the lives of man. There is a want in the soul of man which 
prompts inquiry, not only respecting the past, but especially 
respecting the future. It is his fears, that spring out of un- 
certainty, that as often excite doubt as does his perverse 
nature. A consciousness of his own utter inability to un- 
ravel the history of creation, including man's past and fu- 
ture destiny, is so completely overwhelming that few have 
lived, whether pagan, Jew, Christian, or Mohammedan, who 
have not at some time in life looked up and cried, "0 God! 



409 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 



0 God!" but God's Book, the Old Testament, with Christ 
inveiled, who spoke to the patriarchs, and the prophets, 
and in the last times became one of us, and 
lived and walked with men, meets full and complete the 
soul's "great want." To the soul Christ, in the divine 
Word, is what food is to the physical body. Food always 
manifests its qualities to the recipient by building up the 
physical organism when properly received into the stom- 
ach. Just so Christ, inveiled in the sacred Scriptures, man- 
ifests himself to the recipient by a conscious revelation of 
himself, and the truth of the Word, that "it is wrought in 
God"; and the unbelieving world is touched, and men are 
convinced of its divine origin by the life and character of 
those who have been thus vitalized by the Christ life 
through the Word and the Holy Spirit. The wisdom and 
beauty of the divine Word is marvelously displayed in the 
nice blending of the natural and the supernatural methods 
of revelation. How closely God holds to the natural, re- 
sorting to the supernatural only when he must. The reason 
for this is quite apparent. Revelation is something to be 
understood by imperfect beings. Man may understand the 
natural, the supernatural he cannot; but by it he is awed 
into reverence. The larger phase of revelation is human 
history, and systematic religious belief is the science of 
the imperfect human soul. Who can measure the task of 
adjusting chords to an imperfect instrument to bring out 
infinite harmony? This is absolutely the task assumed by 
Jesus of Nazareth, and as the ages sweep by, the opening 
decade of the twentieth century sees that he is actually ac- 
complishing his task. In making this revelation he uses 
men, — men in recording it, men to preach it, and, above all, 
"A Man of Sorrows," and acquainted with grief to unfold it, 
and to be a living example of its highest and richest fruit- 
age. But who, by right reason, thinks of holding God re- 
sponsible for the slight discrepencies and interpolations that 
may have crept into the different manuscripts, either 
through the unfaithfulness or the oversight of the record- 
ers or transcribers? These are human elements in the doc- 
ument, just as we find them in the manuscripts of other his- 
tories. As well might we assume to hold God responsible 
for the teachings of the different schools of theology, or 



410 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 



some of the unscriptural creeds and dogmas of the church- 
revelation; revealing is God's part, but interpretation or in- 
terpreting is man's. Who would hold that a well-regulated 
science is responsible for the mistakes and blun- 
ders of the scientist; and, as another has put it, 
"Who accuses her, because George Washington was 
bled to death?" Or in the case of James A. Gar- 
field, in that his physician sought for the bullet in 
the wrong direction? But is it not a fact that many of the 
quibbles and criticisms of the past and present upon the 
Scriptures are just as irrelevant as any one of the above? 
Will men never learn this great truth, that God, through 
revelation, is yet revealing? and that the Bible is not a 
splendidly wrought sarcophagus, but like "the bed of a 
deep and magnificent ocean, wherein is hid treasures that 
the life of a man, or a race, may dive for, and not ex- 
haust." No believer in the Bible is of necessity required to 
believe what other men have believed respecting it; and all 
he has a right to ask, or needs to ask, is that the truth- 
seeker subject it to the same rules of criticism and his- 
torical laws which are applied to other books. The dem- 
onstration that the chronological tables of the Septuagint 
text are correct, and that the Hebrew is in error in that 
particular, would not indispose or affect the Book. The 
Bible is a fact and a factor in human history, and all that 
is claimed for it is that it be submitted to the same tests to 
which other histories are. The truth is, the surrender of 
this or that theological dogma does not affect revelation, 
no more than does an incorrect interpretation of its pages, 
or an unwarranted criticism. This intelligent congregation 
remembers, doubtless, the keen little book written by a 
German scholar, in which he applies the same rules of 
historical criticism to the personality of Martin Luther 
that has been applied to some Bible character, but espe- 
cially to Jesus Christ, "thereby proving the general un- 
trustworthiness of the facts of Luther." Such criticism 
as has been applied to biblical history, if applied to all his- 
tory, would sweep from the arena a large per cent, of the 
leading facts and characters in human history. For this 
very reason, as Professor Sayce, speaking, as to the conclu- 
sions to which destructive criticism came, respecting the 



411 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

Aryan people, "which the philologist believed he could 
itrace with unerring lines," but archeology has shown that 
the picture was quite the converse of actual fact, says: "The 
attempt to extract history from philology was a failure; 
the history that resulted was utterly false." Take the case 
of the king of Elam, in his Canaanitish campaign, in which 
he and his allies were defeated by Abraham, as recorded in 
Genesis 14. Destructive criticism has pronounced against 
it; it was a fiction based on the campaign of the later 
Assyrian kings; philology had shown that the proper 
names contained in it were inventions, coined to suit the 
narrative, and Babylonian conquests in Canaan at so dis- 
tant an age were impossible. Professor Sayce says, speak- 
ing of this case: "The critic's assurance was proportionate 
to his ignorance of the early history of Western Asia." 
"What the critic, however, declared to have been impossi- 
ble, turns out to have been a matter of fact." "Recent dis- 
coveries have shown that in the Abrahamic age Canaan was 
a province of Babylonia"; and that, "Canaan, indeed, had 
been traversed by Babylonian armies long before the days 
of Abraham." In the realm of biblical research, archeology 
is literally pulverizing the assumptions of the philologist 
where he has stepped aside from statements recorded as 
facts in God's Book, and has shown that philology is by no 
means to be trusted as an historical guide. 

It is fact, not fancy, that the true apologist has always 
presented, and it is her truths, the opponents of Christi- 
anity have had to combat, and have vainly attempted to 
set aside. And, moreover, it is her facts which exhibit how 
grand a phenomenon Christianity is in the history of the 
world; and, therefore, the duty of the apologist is to make 
manifest that the Holy Scriptures give a true account of 
its origin; for on its truth, not on fiction, on a knowledge 
of facts, not on human credulity, it must ever stand or 
fall. It is now more than ever, the belief of critical Chris- 
tian scholarship, as it is of the best critical learning, that 
the Old Book stands the test. Says Mr. Renan, the learned 
French skeptic, in speaking of the Gospels: "All, in my 
judgment, date back to the first century, and they are sub- 
stantially by the authors to whom they are attributed." 
While Jesus is inveiled in the Old Testament, he is just as 



412 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 

definitely unveiled in the New. What is said of him in 
Moses and tne Prophets, is made manifest in the Gospels. 
His advent to the world, as therein recorded, introduced 
a new era in human history; and although nineteen cen- 
turies lie between his day and ours, he is now the world's 
great unsolved problem, and more talked about, better 
known, and dearer to the people of the opening twentieth 
century, than any other of the sons of men. He, in the 
three short years of his active ministry, set in motion 
forces touching the soul's destiny that have done more to 
regenerate and soften mankind than all the disquisitions 
of philosophers and the exhortations of moralists of all 
ages; and they are now sweeping the world. 

In him is found "the desire of all nations." It is a mar- 
vel that the soul in its bewilderment has so universally 
felt its need of light respecting destiny. When philosophy 
and learning had well nigh reached their culmination in 
the ancient world, the wisest and best of that age felt 
the need and expected a teacher qualified to reveal the 
mind of God to our wandering race; but said, "It is nec- 
essary to wait till such a personage shall appear to teach 
them how they ought to conduct themselves, both towards 
God and towards man," and added: "Oh, when shall that 
period arrive? And who shall be the teacher? How ar- 
dently do I desire to see that man, who he is!" Thus it 
matters not whether we search for the soul's ideal in 
Plato's "good man," or in the Polynesian's blond-bearded 
and light-haired anticipated Savior; in Jesus, the Nazarene, 
the ideal is found, and in him all anticipations are met. 
Among the sons of men, the soul finds but one ideal man 
who meets and answers all its deepest inquiries, and that 
is Christ Jesus. He is not a mythical, but a real char- 
acter, a man whose nationality and country are well 
known, and whose birth, life, and death created a new 
era in the world's history. He is the historic Christ whose 
character is not made up of negative virtues alone, devoid 
of culpable traits, but a character which through the vicis- 
situdes of the centuries has inspired the lives of men with 
a religion of love that is adapted to all men of every age, 
temperament, and condition, a character which is not only 
the true type of virtue, but inspires the strongest incentive 



413 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

to practice it. In character he is absolutely cosmopolitan. 
Ke stands out among the sons of men like an oasis in a 
desert. 

Among the learned and the illiterate, his history and 
character are more studied than the history and character 
of any one member of our race; and more lives have been 
written of Jesus than of any other man. Christian, skeptic, 
and Jew have written of him. Out of his teachings have 
come more of joy and comfort to the high and the low, 
the sick and the sorrowing of earth's children, than from 
all that sages have dreamed and poets sang. He has over- 
turned empires, thrown down the temples of Jupiter, rob- 
bed him of his worshipers, and consigned him to the obliv- 
ion of the past. Indeed, Jesus was a solitary being, whom 
none fully understood, living for a purpose, comprehended 
only by himself, without the sympathy or support of a 
single mind. True, he admitted that he was the expected 
teacher and deliverer of the nations, but in his methods he 
cut at right angles alike with Jew and Greek by throwing 
himself across the pathway of the current opinions of both. 
Nor did he in any way attempt to disguise his purpose or 
soften his opposition to their dream of ages, their most 
cherished hopes, and thus conciliate prejudice and mollify 
the effrontery of change from long-established religious 
beliefs and customs; but disdained such methods, as the 
resort of ambition and imposture. As to some char- 
acteristics of Jesus: Be it remembered, and emphasized, 
that what revelation reveals, comes to us through the 
close, criticising sieve of human history. There are at 
least a few things which man knows about himself, and 
the Christ in revelation is addressed to each member of the 
race in a sense which certainly transcends anything ex- 
perienced in any other literature, and each, for himself, 
knows that the appeal is true. 

Now, it is well known that the age in which Jesus lived 
was remarkably narrow and bigoted, and his own nation 
peculiarly selfish; but Jesus was in nothing more marked 
than in the vastness of his conceptions. Not to save one 
nation, but the salvation of the world was his mission; the 
creed of a tribe he developed into a world religion, and so 
compassionate was he that not even "a sparrow falls to the 



414 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 

ground that does not receive his notice." Despite the narrow 
conception of the Hebrew respecting Messiah and the soul's 
question, "Are there few that shall be saved?" contrary to 
their expectation he declared himself to be the deliverer 
and the light of the whole world; and, whether at the cross 
beneath or at the throne above, that consciousness never 
forsook him. The conception of the one religion for all 
peoples was his own, a thing unthought of by Jew or pagan. 
A universal faith was above the philosopher's dream, and 
beyond the sage's most extravagant imagination. Said 
Celcus, "The man who can believe it possible for Greeks and 
barbarians in Asia, Europe, Libya, to agree in one code of 
religious laws must be utterly void of sense." Now, these 
vast conceptions of Jesus — one religion for all peoples, the 
annihilation of all caste, a universal peace among men, the 
fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of all men, estab- 
lished on the law of love, was a new idea to the world, and 
was his own. It was an offense alike to Jew and Greek, as 
it is to-day to unregenerate human nature. While the world 
about him was a bundle of selfishness, the unique charm of 
his character was a life of absolute unselfishness. This 
principle he incorporated into his religion. The church 
and the world alike had fenced off, as something distinct 
from common duties of life, the domain of religion, but he 
pulled down the high wall and sanctified the whole sweep 
of existence, carrying religion into the haunts and homes of 
public and private life, and declared it "more blessed to 
give than to receive." He put a value upon the unit in so- 
ciety, and thus gave the world a new factor in social 
statics. He made faith which leads up to knowledge the 
basis of a spiritual science, and declared in favor of relig- 
ious freedom; and to him the world will never outgrow its 
debt of gratitude as the world's greatest reformer. Goethe 
has well said, "Let mental culture go on advancing, let the 
natural science go on gaining in depth and breadth, and the 
human mind expand as it may, it will never go beyond the 
elevation and moral culture of Christianity, as it glistens 
and shines forth in the Gospels." 

Life is a dark marvel. The future, like the grave, is 
silent. Death is an unknown leap. God is a mystery. I 
turned to the Edda, the Zend-Avesta, the Vedas, and the 



415 



Life of Ezekiel Boring Kephart 

sacred books of Confucius, and all, all is confusion and be- 
wilderment. But on the other hand, "it is not too much to 
say that, on the whole, and to the best of our knowledge 
and belief, tested by that concensus of the intelligent and 
devout, which alone is competent to pass judgment upon a 
question in which the spiritual faculties as well as the 
reasoning, must be qualified jurors, the Bible reveals the 
best," and only satisfactory "explanation of the phenome- 
non of life," and the future world. On this burning ques- 
tion he is unequivocal. "I am come down from heaven." 
"I am the living bread which came down out of heaven." 
As one has said, "His sphere in religion, the character of 
God, the principle of spiritual life, the forgiveness of sins, 
the discipline of the soul, the life to come," on all these 
themes he has said the last word. And he made no mis- 
takes. His life and sayings have been before the world for 
nineteen centuries, friend and foe have criticised them, but 
their verdict accords with Pilate's, "I find no fault in him." 
He never said a wrong thing, nor did a wrong act. He was 
the faultless man, and stood out like a mighty Pharos in 
the great sea of humanity, unequaled, and unapproached, 
and unapproachable by any of the sons of men. He walked 
through the world a moral giant among men. The allure- 
ments of society and temptations of demons had no effect 
upon him, and, like a Colossus, he stood among men, "the 
holiest among the mighty, and the mightiest among the 
holy." Spinoza calls him "the symbol of divine wisdom"; 
Hegel, "the union of the divine and human." 

Said De Wette, the most learned and intellectual of all 
the German critics, "This only I know, that there is salva- 
tion in no other name than in the name of Jesus Christ, the 
crucified, and that nothing loftier offers itself to humanity 
than the God-manhood realized in him, and the kingdom of 
God which he founded — an idea and problem not yet rightly 
understood and incorporated into the life even of those who 
in other respects rank as the most zealous and warmest 
Christians." At his teachings paganism is gradually melt- 
ing away, and uncivilized tribes are becoming nations un- 
der Christian governments. "Prom first to last Jesus is the 
same, always the same, majestic and simple, infinitely se- 
vere and infinitely gentle. Throughout a life passed under 



416 



As Thinker, Writer, and Preacher 



the public eye, he never gave occasion to find fault. The 
prudence of his conduct compels our admiration by its 
union of force and gentleness. Alike in speech and action, 
he is enlightened, consistent, and calm. Sublimity is said 
to be an attribute of divinity. What name, then, shall we 
give him in whose character were united every element of 
the sublime?" "He is a mystery indeed to our intellectual 
and philosophical comprehension, but a mystery made man- 
ifest as the most glorious fact in history, the blessed mys- 
tery of godliness, the inexhaustible theme of meditation 
and praise for all generations." He is the self-revelation 
of God to man, the mystery of the ages, the unsolved prob- 
lem by the wisdom of this world. Take out of his discourses 
all that modern criticism rejects as spurious, make a due 
allowance for the tinge of their own thought, given to his 
utterance by his disciples, yet the Sermon on the Mount, 
which contains the embodiment of all he said and did, re- 
mains, and in the presence of which both critic and skeptic 
are alike struck mute by a consciousness that these utter- 
ances could not have been invented by the recorders of his 
eventful life, nor had they ever leaped from the lips of man, 
but were truths revealed from heaven by him "who came 
down from heaven." Also the legend, as the skeptic calls it, 
of his miraculous birth, may be put aside; the claims of the 
evangelists may be ignored, and all that creeds profess and 
ecclesiastical councils have determined respecting him may 
be laughed at, yet there remains the Christ, the completion 
of our humanity, God's answer to the soul's ultimate ques- 
tions respecting human destiny. 



417 



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